The 2nd edition of the Ultra Trail “The Voltas do Impossível” returns to Serra da Freita on the 29th of May 2021.

The challenge will be limited to 50 participants, who must apply between the 15th of February and the 5th of March by submitting an application explaining, in an original way, why they wish to take part in the competition.

The last edition, in 2020, was a great success, due to the novelty it brought to the national ultra trail adventure scene, and it was a tough challenge for all the athletes who took part. No athlete managed to achieve the feat of reaching the 4th lap of the challenge, leaving the schist rock, where the names of the fearless athletes who complete the 5th and final lap shall be ‘immortalised’, intact and ready for another edition.

History:
This adventure, pioneer in Portugal, is based on the Barkley Marathons, leading the Grand Master of the Confraria Trotamontes, José Moutinho, to create, in 2020, the ‘plot’ of the Voltas do Impossível, which dates back to the troubled period of 1942 when, for the war effort, these mountains and valleys of the Serra da Freita, were used for the Mining of Tungsten, an essential metal in the arms race. A story that pays tribute to the thousands of people who, at that time, fought to change their lives and chart their destiny, known as ‘Pilhas’ by their peers. The historical side of this race is reflected in elements that are present throughout the course, such as the transport permits, and in moments such as when an athlete gives up and hears, being played in their honour, the bugle call ‘Taps’, by a bugler.

Applications:
The challenge will be limited to 50 participants, who must embark on the adventure from the start, explaining the reasons why they wish to take part in the Voltas do Impossível, together with a brief résumé that must include, at minimum, an event of 100 km or longer. If the application is accepted, the participant will receive a “Letter of Condolences,” which formally confirms their registration and indicates payment of a fee of €19.58, as well as the additional contributions of one craft beer and a license plate.

Regras:

The route consists of 5 laps, each covering a distance of approximately 21 km and 1500D+. Each lap will start and finish in the iconic village of Rio de Frades, on the bridge, with the race initially running clockwise and alternating direction on subsequent laps.
In addition to the race, athletes will have to find 13 boxes containing Transport Guide books (used to transport tungsten at the time), which will serve as proof of passage through the location. Failure to find any of these guides at the end of each lap will result in disqualification.
Athletes will wear a different race bib for each lap.
The organisation will provide a track for guidance and, occasionally, there will be guidance markers on small sections.
There will be no supplies along the route; athletes will only be able to receive food or material support at the base, in homage to the image of the miners, who were also supplied by their wives.
The only mandatory equipment will be a whistle, a thermal blanket, a mobile phone, and a watch with GPS.

Oficial Video 2020

The moment to pull a fast one on the Voltas ao Impossível, is back.

Organization:
Confraria Trotamontes
Municipality of Arouca