Trail Race on April 25th Holiday

Portuguese independence from its 48-year dictatorship ended on April 25, 1974 with the bloodless turnover of power termed the "Carnation Revolution."  Throughout Portugal, the 50th anniversary of the revolution was marked by festivals and celebrations.  The small Algarve hill town of Alte held a festival which included both bike and trail running races.  Mark, who had been jogging with friends for the past couple of months, decided with them to participate in the 14K trail run, his first foot race in almost 40 years.  

The course conditions were tougher than we had expected.  Both uphill and downhill grades were at times quite steep, and the trails were not just dirt and gravel.  Softball and basketball-sized boulders were common.  Sections were so steep and dangerous that participants had to walk, rather than run.  

We all finished the race, most with some scrapes and bruises.  It could have been worse.  One participant broke his arm, and the paramedics had to rescue him.  This was probably Mark's first and last trail run!