Ultra Heroica Miño & Sil

The Ultra Heroica Miño & Sil crosses the Ribeira Sacra in a single push, linking Chantada and Sober in the south of Lugo province through the valleys of the Miño and the Sil. It is organised by Club Peña Saltasebes de Chantada together with the municipalities of Chantada, O Saviñao, Pantón and Sober. First held in 2025, it now takes place in early November. The name echoes the region's so-called heroic viticulture, terraced vineyards clinging to very steep slopes above the rivers, which the course skirts and crosses several times.

The main race covers 83 km with 3,900 m of elevation gain. It starts at 07:30 from Praza de España in Chantada and finishes on the town hall square in Sober. The route passes the fountain in the village of Belesar (km 11), the river beach at A Cova in O Saviñao (km 20) and A Míllara (km 31), then reaches the hamlet of Freán in Pantón, which serves as the main checkpoint at km 39.5 with personal crew access and a drop bag. Next come Acedre, Hortás, the Chancís viewpoint (km 64), the Xabrega watermills, the Cividade viewpoint (km 72), Pacios and Castaxúa before the final descent into Sober. Eleven aid stations line the route, which is marked with tape and flags.

The same course can also be run as a relay. In pairs, the first runner covers 39 km and 2,000 m of climbing to Freán, the second 44 km and 1,900 m to Sober. In teams of four, the legs are 20 km to A Cova beach, 19 km to Freán, 23 km to the Chancís viewpoint and 21 km to the finish, each with roughly 900 to 1,000 m of ascent. Men's, women's and mixed teams arrange their own transport to the changeover points, where parking is limited.

The ultra is aimed at experienced runners. Cut-offs fall at km 20 at 12:00, at km 39 at 15:30 and at km 62 at 19:30, and the finish closes at 23:30, giving a 16-hour time limit. Compulsory kit includes a one-litre water supply, a windproof jacket, a survival blanket, a hat or neck tube, a charged phone, a whistle and a head torch; headphones are banned. Solo runners must also provide a medical certificate issued within the previous six months.

The day starts early: bibs are handed out from 06:30 at the Casa da Cultura in Chantada, with the briefing and kit check at 07:25. For solo runners, a bus leaves Sober for Chantada at 06:00 and another takes finishers back to the start from 20:30. In the afternoon, the Andaina do Sil, a non-competitive 11 km walk with 200 m of climbing, leaves Sober at 16:00 for the Boqueiriño viewpoint and is open to all ages. At the finish, the prize-giving, a meal for participants and a party carry on until midnight.