The seventh edition of this unique race around Menorca in three stages will be held on 5, 6, 7 November 2021. Participants can choose doing it on foot or by MTB, and in teams or solo. We review its evolution throughout the six previous editions.
It has never been a race like the others. It has always been an original event, with unique characteristics, difficult to classify and with an unquestionable appeal for all who have been part of it. “One island, three stages, an epic adventure” is the eternal slogan of a challenge that year after year leads the participants to “start as strangers, continue as friends and end up as family”, as one of them said after crossing the finish line in 2017.
The Epic Camí de Cavalls 360º was born in 2015, from the creativity of the Camí de Cavalls 360º team. In fact, the race was part of the initial CdC 360º project, as a competitive option among the offer of self-guided routes at the participant’s pace that the company has developed since its foundation in 2011.
The fact that it is a race split in three stages is the first of the differential features that make the Epic CdC 360º a unique event. In addition, from the first day it allows participation both on foot and by bike. Likewise, it encourages values such as companionship, integration and teamwork, by favoring participation in pairs, whether male, female or mixed.
Another capital value for the project is sustainability and environmental respect. The organization has always made every effort to adopt environmental measures, which are summarized in a list of do’s and dont’s ensuring that the Epic Camí de Cavalls 360º is as respectful as possible for the environment in which it takes place.
The dates of the event have always been an important point when defining the Epic CdC 360º too. Late winter, spring or autumn are the times when the island looks its best and the weather is more favorable for the practice of outdoor sports such as trail running or mountain biking.
September and end of stage camp
That initial year 2015 and the following 2016, the first two editions of the Epic Camí de Cavalls 360º were held at the end of September. The competition modalities, in addition to the Trail Run Epic 360º and Experience 360º, included the DualTrail Epic 360º. Thus, it was possible to do the entire route on foot or to carry out the second stage by bike, alternating both disciplines.
In addition, the first year Epic had an overnight stay in a traveling camp located at the end of each stage. All the participants shared the hours after each day. They rested, recovered and prepared for the next day all together. In the camp the images of the day were also showed, the briefing of the next stage was held and dinner was served for everyone. The Epic family strengthened links in those moments of coexistence and shared experience.
Those moments have never been lost –despite the changes– since then. In 2016, the camps were replaced by apartments, but the philosophy was perpetuated.
March, MTB and Es Mercadal
In the period 2017-2020, the Epic Camí de Cavalls 360º changed dates from autumn to the end of winter. Another important change was that the participants began to share a concentration hotel in Es Mercadal. Now staying every night at the same place and with greater comfort, not a single bit of the founding philosophy of sharing and relating to one another was lost.
The town of Es Mercadal became the true epicenter of the race. Consequently, the inland routes gained prominence, complementing the coastal sections. Those who repeated participation appreciated the fact of discovering new beautiful settings and corners of the island, not usually seen.
From the sport perspective, the MountainBike 360º modality replaced the DualTrail Epic 360º. Since 2017, therefore, two parallel races have been held: one on foot and the other by bike. Both share the essence of the routes, although with some specific variations depending on the modality.
Cancellation and new push
The 2020 edition came with the highest expectation and a new record of registrations. All the limited places were sold out months in advance. The race was scheduled for March 13, 14 and 15, which coincided exactly with the first lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and had to be canceled at the last minute.
The coronavirus year was complicated, both for the Epic and for the rest of the Camí de Cavalls 360º modalities, but the organization took the opportunity to take a little run and give a renewed push to the event.
This is how we come to 2021, the seventh chapter and the beginning of a new stage full of news that will be written on November 5, 6 and 7. The race returns to autumn and recovers its coastal personality, with the most coastal route of all. On the other hand, for the first time in history there will be solo participants. Again, a sports challenge and an unforgettable experience at the same time.
List of winners
2015
TrailRun Epic 360º
Pati Bañuls and Raül Riudavets
DualTrail Epic 360º
David Brugué and Albert Rossell
Experience 360º
Moisès Garcia and Miquel Capó
2016
TrailRun Epic 360º
Julia Böttger and Tomm Claude Zechmeister
DualTrail Epic 360º
Lluís Borras and Marc Coll
Experience 360º
Kiko Sintes and Jordi Riutort
2017
TrailRun Epic 360º
Roberto Garay and Isusko Barrenetxea
MountainBike 360º
Francesc Freixer and Oriol Colomé
Experience 360º
Joan Salvador Escala and Jordi Baldrich
2018
TrailRun Epic 360º
Alex Urbiña and Javier Pons
MountainBike 360º
Ismael Ventura and Oliver Avilés
Experience 360º
Thomas Janichon and Benjamin Moleins
2019
TrailRun Epic 360º
Roberto Sancho and Diego Arroyo
MountainBike 360º
Ricard Calmet and Adrià Noguera
Experience 360º
Antonio Saavedra and Javier Sintes
2020
Cancelled due to Covid-19
