The second edition of ‘The Way of the Holy Grail’ race has been consolidated in Navajas thanks to Atlos Eventos. With more than 500  participants, this magnificent race that highlights the value of the Holy Grail of Valencia and its famous path of pilgrimage. On 7 May 2023, the sports company ATLOS organised  ‘The Way of the Holy Grail’ race, a wonderful route that runs through natural landscapes following the trail of the Palancia river. The event was attended by runners and walkers from all over the world, who competed in three different races: the Holy Grail Marathon, the Half Marathon and the 10K.

The Valencian company Centro Óptico Clínico Losan, the Asociación Cultural ‘El Camino del Santo Graal’ accompanied the sporting event together with five members of the Guardia del Camino del Santo Graal (Nerea, Isabel, Kevin, Said and Julián).

Doña Esther Santillana Reinoso, manager of the Centro Óptico Clínico Losan participated in the distribution of the bags to all those who signed up for the event. According to Amador from the organising company, more than 600 race bibs and bags were distributed to all the runners.

Mr. Jesús Gimeno Peris, councillor of Massamagrell was present at the event participating in the tent and attending to curious people interested in the Credentials of the Way of the Holy Grail. At the end of the sporting event, Dr. Ana Mafé García presented the winners of the three races with a copy of her study “The Holy Grail”, a book published by Editorial Sargantana, which is now in its fourth edition and clearly explains what this sacred relic is and what its protohistory has been according to the application of the iconological method.

The main event was the Holy Grail Marathon, Barracas-Navajas, which was run over a total distance of 42,000 metres. At 8:00 a.m., the start of the race began in the town of Barracas, giving rise to an exciting competition in which the runners had to overcome significant physical challenges.

In the end, the winners of the different races were the following:

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The first classified was Mercedes Monzón Gimeno, who does not belong to any club with an amazing time of 03:16:33.

The second classified was Aida Badenes Forés, also independent, with a magnificent time of 03:19:58.

The third classified was Isa Chaparro Navarrete from the Paterna Runners Club and she finished the race in 03:55:12.

The last classified in seventh place came in with a time of 04:40:19.

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The first classified was Antonio Latorre Martínez of Green Power Sports Team with a total of 02:51:28.

The second classified was Javier García Monreal of Cd Camp De Morvedre with a time of 02:54:50.

The third classified was Julio Ortega Giménez of the Runners Ciutat de Valencia team with a total of 03:01:20.

As an anecdote, the last runner in 46th place arrived at the finish line at 13:16:44. Just five hours after the start in Barracas.

The Half Marathon race covered the distance of 21 km from Caudiel to Navajas started at 9:00h.

The youngest race was the 10K that started in Jérica and finished in Navajas with two modalities.

It should be noted that there were those who came walking accompanied by their pet dogs.  And the medals for finishing the race were given to the dogs at the finish line.

From the Cultural Association The Way of the Holy Grail, its president, Dr. Ana Mafé explained that events such as the present make that day by day in different areas consolidate the dissemination of what is the Holy Grail, its cultural importance in all areas, including faith and the figure of Jesus. In the same way that the Holy Grail is presented to a young and sporty public, its history and the path it travelled are made further known.

Dr. Mafé ended her speech by thanking once again all the people who participated and listened to the different explanations given throughout the race about the Way of the Holy Grail. And, above all, she thanked the selfless presence of all the people who have voluntarily helped to its good development.

You can find more information via this video link: RACE OF THE WAY OF THE HOLY GRAIL NAVAJAS 2023: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd4oztzOtKE

Report by ‘24/7 Valencia’ team

Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’