The giant boulder weighing 1,778 kg, located behind the San Martin church in Berastegi, will be moved by Joseba Santxez from Gasteiz on Saturday. Once used for ox trials and later for competitions between the youth center and an association, or between a group of people and a pair of oxen, the stone will now be moved by a single human for the first time this year. The event will take place in the churchyard parking lot.
Santxez, a Basque Country champion in stone pulling, moved a stone weighing approximately two tons a distance of 1.44 meters on September 13th at the Talo Eguna in Leitza. In the Berastegi challenge, he will have half an hour to move the stone as far as possible. Before the challenge, judges will weigh the stone and prepare the site.
Santxez began his journey in the world of traditional Basque sports late, specifically when he moved to Leitza. This discipline has always been more common in Bizkaia and Araba than in Gipuzkoa and Navarra. 'As I am stubborn, I set myself the goal of winning a championship and a bet, and I did. Now, my goal is to set new records,' he explained.
Santxez explained that in the stone-pulling discipline, the body tires quickly and muscles lose energy. 'In the beginning, I move the stone more easily than at the end. Therefore, I would be very happy if I moved three or four meters. However, the day's atmosphere, physical condition, weather, and terrain will have an impact.' He stated he is 'as nervous as he is eager'.
He added that this discipline requires 'time and patience.' He started pulling large stones four years ago, with a one-ton stone. Due to an injury, he had to stop for a while, but he has gradually adapted his body to the discipline. He has been training very seriously for the last year and a half, on his own.
In the afternoon, the Behobia-Donostia distance will be covered by collecting lokotxak (corn cobs): locals Mattin Intxaurrondo, Aiora Lasarte, and Olaia Garaiburu. Intxaurrondo will collect two rows of 100 lokotx each, with a one-meter distance between them, totaling 200. Lasarte and Garaiburu, as a pair, will collect 75 lokotx each, aiming to complete it in under 90 minutes.
Furthermore, Iraitz Arruti Burnitxiki from Zarautz, along with Josetxo Urrutia and Unai Urkiola from Leitza, will attempt to lift a 113 kg stone. Ane Cestau from Barañain and Eider Durana from Gasteiz will strive to lift 77 kg and 79 kg boulders, respectively, which they will lift in public for the first time. Each stone lifter will have a five-minute turn.
Joseba Santxez proposed the challenge to Iñigo Gorostarzu Etxorde in May, and since then, the event has been organized in collaboration with the Berastegi City Council. The event was scheduled for September to allow participants time to train. There will be opportunities for betting on each challenge, along with bar and pintxo service. Jesus Altuna street will be closed to traffic, and cars can be parked in the schoolyard.
