Milla Vertical de Àreu

The Milla Vertical de Àreu is a short, very steep mountain race held in Àreu, a Pyrenean village. The course measures just 3.6 kilometers but involves a 1,689-meter climb, making its objective straightforward: ascend as quickly as possible. The race's origins lie in a local tale, revived in Pep Coll's book La edad de las piedras, about a man who outran the sun. According to the legend, unmarried men would race from the village square towards the mountain at sunset, aiming to reach the summit before the sun vanished. The victor gained the privilege of selecting a partner for the village festival dance. This historical context provides the modern race with its unique appeal: participants compete not only against time but also against the mountain itself.