The Fortress of Valença hosted the Regional Cross-Country Championship, a competition that gathered more than 300 athletes from various age groups and transformed the historic heritage site into a demanding setting for competition, effort, and endurance.
The event also served as an important rehearsal for the National Long Cross-Country Championships, which Valença will host for the first time on November 21st and 22nd.
Organized by the Athletics Association of Viana do Castelo (AAVC) and the Portuguese Athletics Federation, with the support of the Municipality of Valença, the competition involved athletes from the Under-10 to Senior categories, both male and female.
Beyond the competitive aspect, the day allowed for testing the course, evaluating ground conditions, and refining logistical and organizational aspects in view of the major national competition, which will bring athletes and clubs from all over the country to the Fortress.
The event was attended by the president of the Valença Municipal Chamber, José Manuel Carpinteira, and the Councillor for Sport, Óscar Silva.
“"The Fortress of Valença has unique conditions to host major cross-country competitions, combining sporting demands with the uniqueness of an internationally significant historical heritage. We want to establish Valença as a benchmark destination for athletics, leveraging the Fortress as a stage for major events and promoting the municipality nationally and internationally."
