Antoine Guillon doesn’t come to Menorca for a stroll along the coves; he comes to conduct a symphony he knows by heart, though this year the script shows cracks through which a Basque rebellion is emerging. The French veteran, boasting seven victories, returns to the Ciutadella starting line to defend his crown in the TMCdC 185 km. However, the buzz in the race village points to a collective obsession: breaking the 18-hour mark, a psychological barrier that nearly shattered last year in an agonizing finish.
The Ghost of Pablo Ibáñez and Pacing Strategy
The real headline isn't the mass participation of 3,000 runners, but the tactical revenge brewing at the front of the pack. After last edition’s fratricidal duel, where Guillon hunted down Pablo Ibáñez just 50 meters from the finish line after a 185-kilometer pursuit, the domestic contenders have learned their lesson. No more going out all guns blazing only to blow up in the final 13 kilometers of technical single track. The favorites know that the Camí de Cavalls does not forgive overpacing in the northern sector—a true leg-breaker of sharp rock that shreds the quads before even reaching the halfway point.
Humidity: The Invisible Enemy of the GR 223
Weather forecasts for this weekend in the Balearic Islands predict relative humidity above 85%, a critical factor that turns the terrain into a sticky sauna. This condition accelerates dehydration and makes transitions at aid stations strategic. It’s not just the ultra-athletes suffering; the TMCN 100 km runners, starting from Maó under the stars, will face a night dew that turns the stones of Cavalleria into a skating rink. Here, lug choice and salt management will be the difference between a podium and a monumental bonk.
While the elites keep a close eye on each other, the bulk of the peloton is spread across the more explosive distances. The PTCN 58 km and PTCS 44 km sold out in record time, confirming that trail running in Menorca has evolved from a local event into a European pilgrimage. The terrain is deceptive: low elevation gain on paper, but a constant technicality that prevents finding a steady rhythm. On the Camí de Cavalls, you either master the terrain or the terrain devours you with every stride.