The 36th ‘Cross Internacional das Amendoeiras em Flor’, more commonly known as the Almond Blossom Run, will take place at Albufeira’s Açoteias course on February 24.
The oldest athletics event in Portugal will enjoy the renewed financial support of the Algarve Tourism Board and its President Desidério Silva, who commented: “This competition, which on several occasions has been considered the best cross country run in the world by the IAAF, has a unique place in our country’s sporting history.”
The race was first staged in Albufeira in 1977 before moving to Vilamoura. It returned to its Açoteias origins in 2005 and is now run over 12km (men) and 8km (women).
Past winners here have included Portugal’s best known Olympian Rosa Mota, Britain’s Angela Tooby and multiple European champion Aniko Kalovics, while Kenyan domination of the men’s event dating back to 1997 was only interrupted by 2007 Ukrainian victor Sergey Lebid.
A strong international field also featuring the best domestic talent is again expected for next month’s latest renewal – watch this space!
