It's the 101 again. The 2025 edition is the 25th anniversary of this important event in the Ronda calendar. Catering for MTB cyclists, runners, walkers, as well as a shorter junior event. The 101 has a national and international profile.
101 km [Image courtesy of oronda natura]
The event is organised by the Spanish Foreign Legion in Ronda.
Participants come from all over Spain, as well as from abroad.
Me and the 101
I've never taken part and never shall. It sounds like torture. But I admore the people - men, women, children - who do participate.
Some are serious cyclists, others top class runners, and even more are walkers who just fancy the challenge. At all events, it is indeed a challenge, and those who take part and complete the course, 9000 people this year, acquire significant bragging rights.
The start [Carreras de montaña]
The route
The 101 route starts and ends in Ronda and visits Arriate, Setenil de las Bodegas, Alcala del Valle, Grazalema, Montejaque and Benaojan.
I live on the route in the pedania of Fuente de la Higuera. So, I usually set up a table, chair, sun umbrella and camping fridge in front of my house and watch some of the race.
The ups and downs of the 101 [Facebook]
The cyclists tear past first, then come the fast runners. The walkers don't stroll past my house until night-time.
I know people who take part. Borja, from Montejaque, a really good amateur cyclist, passed my house in fifth position in 2023. Sadly, the heat that day got to him and he didn't finish. Adri. also from Montejaque, is the popular son of "Chico" owner of Bar Adrian in the village.
This year six young soldiers in the army, based in Pamplona (Navarra), have rented my house in Montejaque. They are taking part as runners.
Saturday, May 10th - Race day
La salida - the start
This is at the football stadium of C.D. Ronda. To cope with the numbers of participants, over 9000, the start is staggered. First off at 08.45 are the cyclists, followed at 09.30 by the runners and walkers. At 10.00 it's the kids, who do a shortened course.
Back home I set up my "stall" outside my house in Fuente de la Higuera, which the race will pass in the course of the 24 hours the 101 lasts. My "stall" is a table, chair, sun umbrella, cold drinks and paraphernalia associated with Spain and Andalucia.
Saul Ortega and Jorge Milan, two legionarios, stopped for a chat and a cold beer. They are both from the Spanish legion barracks in Almeria, members of a group seconded to Ronda to help out.
The leader in the cycle race came through at 10.10, followed closely by another dozen or so in the next 20 minutes. Then it was a constant stream until the first runners came past at 13.10. My guest from Pamplona, Mario Aguilar, trotted past in 9th position. Later, Adri and Borja, passed by.
Saul and Jorge Mario My "stall"
[All above photos by Paul Whitelock]
I drove to Montejaque to watch the runners pass through the square and the feeding and watering station, but I was too slow and by the time I got there, the leading runners had already gone through.
La meta - the finish
I had intended to go to Ronda for the finish, but the traffic was mad, so there would be problems parking. I was able to pick up information online.
MTB cyclists
Male - 1st - David Gonzalez Tirado (03.58.25 hours)
Female - 1st - Victoria Mayoral Cesar (05.16.44 hours)
[photo of David and Victoria]
Runners
Male - 1st - Francisco Javier Mariano Martinez (08.17.44 hours)
Female - 1st - Maria Romero Ledo (09.06.23 hours)
The first three runners [photo: Cadena SER]
Other results:
Mario Aguilar - 20th in 9.40 hours
Victor Español and team - information not currently available.
[photo to follow]
Borja's story
Borja Tornay, from Montejaque, is an accomplished cyclist who has ridden the 101 before. This year he decided to run the 101 kilometres as a tribute to his good friend, Cayetano Postigo, who died last month in a cycling accident, aged just 30.
[photos to follow]
STOP PRESS:
We had lunch today at the inestimable Molino del Santo in Benaojan Estacion. To celebrate my 75th birthday next Sunday, when we shall be away in Germany at a family christening with no chance to celebrate just us two.
The food was, as always, to die for.
[photos of our food]
On the next table was an American lady who had just come sixth in the 101 for cyclists. xcx hails from Minnesota but has lived in Rota (Huelva) for a number of years. Whilst not a profesional she has raced al over Spain. For her the "101 de Ronda" is the best. Because of its friendly atmosphere.
[photo]
NOTE: This article continues to be updated as more photos and more information come in.
Links
(11) Facebook
© Sporty Sam
Pictures:
Cadena SER, Carreras de montaña, Facebook, oronda natura, Paul Whitelock, Ronda Diario
Acknowledgements:
Diario de Ronda, Karl Smallman, La Legion, Paul Whitelock, Ronda Diario, Ronda Semanal, Wikipedia
Tags:
101, 2025 edition, 25th anniversary, Alcala del Valle, Arriate, Benaojan, Cadena SER, Carreras de montaña, David Gonzalez Tirado, Diario de Ronda, Facebook, Francisco Javier Mariano Martinez, Fuente de la Higuera, Grazalema, international profile, junior event, Karl Smallman, La Legion, Maria Romero Ledo, Mario Aguilar, Montejaque, MTB cyclists, oronda natura, Paul Whitelock, Ronda, Ronda Diario, Ronda Semanal, runners, Setenil de las Bodegas, Spanish Foreign Legion, Sporty Sam, Victor Español, Victoria Mayoral Cesar, walkers, Wikipedia