Josu Urrestarazu, from Idiazabal, achieved victory in his fourth participation in the T2T race. The runner stated he managed the heat well: "In winter I suffer a lot with the cold, and I long for this time of year to arrive. I enjoyed it, but I was also a bit scared, because I know I perform best in the heat, but compared to others, mine prevails, and I was able to take advantage of it." He took the lead after passing Erroizpe/Larte and protected his muscles on the descent to reach the finish line strongly.
Urrestarazu explained that he paced the race: "I was able to conserve a lot of my rhythm, and that allowed me to arrive at the finish line with strength." He had previously finished second, and now achieving first place in Tolosa was what he was missing.
“"I was pacing the race, I was able to conserve a lot of my rhythm, and that allowed me to arrive at the finish line with strength."
June Agirrezabalaga, from Zarautz, participated for the first time and won. "Honestly, it went very well. I started thinking about how to pace myself, to give my best, and I saw I was coming very strong from behind, overtaking people, and I thought that as long as my body held up, I would keep going, and I reached the finish line in great shape," she stated.
She mentioned that the race is ideal for her because there is a lot of running. "It was a very beautiful race. The organization is also very good, there are many people on the peaks, and they cheer a lot," she added.
Eider Zubeldia, from Amezketa, also participated for the first time and finished very happy in second place. "I didn't expect to finish second. I saw the level there was, and with the heat it was daunting to push too hard. When I saw I had finished second, I was very pleased," she said.
Zubeldia is pleased with her current season, having recently won the Lakunza-Aralar mountain race and finishing second in the Mendaroko Kilimon Trail.
In the men's category, Xabat Maiotz from Segura and Iñigo Leiza from Hernani were second and third respectively. In the women's category, Leire Elola from Tolosa placed third.
