The Leharrei mountain race, held in Gabiria, is set to achieve a record participation this year with 275 runners. The event, which is the fourth stage of the Goierri Kopa Trail, will take place on Saturday, April 18, offering two distances: a short 16-kilometer route and a longer 24-kilometer route.

The longer race will start at 09:30 AM, while the shorter one will begin at 10:00 AM. According to the organizers, 115 runners will tackle the 16-kilometer challenge, and 160 will participate in the 24-kilometer race. Patxi Ormazabal, one of the organizers, explained that in previous years, 250 bibs were offered, but this number proved insufficient, often requiring additional bibs to be added at the last minute. Consequently, they decided to increase the number from the outset this year.

Ormazabal recalled that when the Leharrei race began in 2016, only the 24-kilometer route was available. The addition of a shorter route has led to increased participation. The organizers' goal is to encourage people to engage in mountain sports and to promote the town of Gabiria. The Goierri Kopa Trail championship brings together 11 of the most challenging mountain races in Goierri, with the Gabiria event being the fourth this year. Previously, the Garin Mendi Lasterketa in Beasain, the Mendi Lasterketa in Ordizia, and the UZ Trail in Urretxu-Zumarraga have been held.

In conjunction with the race, two additional events have been organized. On April 16, at 7:00 PM, Aitor Garmendia will give a talk at the Osinalde society in Gabiria about the Sahara marathon, which he won in February. This marathon is a solidarity initiative to promote sports among Sahrawi youth and raise funds for humanitarian aid projects. On April 17, a street climbing competition will take place at 6:00 PM, with registrations starting at 5:30 PM in Gabiria's main square. There will also be adapted climbing for children, followed by an awards ceremony and a pintxopote.