Local & Spanish

Local & Spanish

Everything is ready for the 15th Puig Campana Vertical Kilometer which is being held today in Finestrat. More than 360 runners from 11 countries and, nationally, from 29 provinces. Remember that this edition is the Spanish Club Championship, Regional Championship and World Cup of the International Skyrunning Federation (ISF) within its Open Championship circuit.
Organised by the Department of Sports, the Reto 8000 Mountain Club and the Federation of Mountain and Climbing Sports of the Valencian Community (FEMECV), this test once again places Finestrat and its emblematic Puig Campana at the top of the national and international calendar. of Vertical Kilometers. Remember that the peculiarity of the Puig Campana Vertical Kilometer, as its name indicates, is that the runners cover a distance of 3.6 kilometers with a positive slope of 1,050 meters and very close to the sea.
The departure will take place today, the 28th, from the Plaça de la Unió European in Finestrat at 8:00 am. Until Font del Molí there will be a neutralsed start every 5 minutes and in groups of 10 runners. At Font del Molí there will be a time trial that marks the individual exit of the KV to the top with 3,650 km and +1020 of positive gradient. The finish line is located at the top of Puig Campana. The descent will be along the Umbría del Puig Campana botanical path to Coll de Pouet, along the Camí de la Serra path to Font del Molí and then to Plaça UE. In total, 13.7 km.
Specifically, the 2024 edition is the Spanish Club Championship, Regional Championship and World Cup of the International Skyrunning Federation (ISF) within its Open Championship circuit. With this, Finestrat is part of an international circuit that passes through Brazil, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Andorra, Bulgaria, Austria and Colombia, "which will attract runners and also visitors from all over Spain and various parts of the world," indicated the Councilor for Sports, Beatriz Quintillán . “So we are excited and expectant because it is one of the most international editions of the Vertical Kilometer that we have celebrated to date”
Prizes and classifications
Regarding the prizes of the Spanish Club Championship, it should be noted that there is a cash amount of €4,000 to be distributed in the different absolute categories of the clubs, remaining as follows: 1,000 euros for the first, 600 euros for the second and 400 for the third club, always for men and women.
In addition, the first place finisher of the test will be preselected to compete in the World Championship (as long as they are a FEDME federation on the day of the test).
Regional overview: steady pre-summer momentum
Across the Costa Blanca, including Benidorm, Altea, L’Alfàs del Pi (Albir), La Nucía and Finestrat, the region is entering a strong early-season phase with increasing visitor numbers, expanding nightlife, and a growing calendar of small cultural and leisure events ahead of the main summer period.
Markets, live music, coastal tourism and community events continue to dominate activity this week, alongside ongoing infrastructure improvements such as new sustainability and mobility projects.
BENIDORM – Markets, nightlife and tourism growth
Weekly street markets in Benidorm remain a key attraction, including Wednesday and Sunday general markets offering food, clothing and local goods.
The Old Town continues to host craft stalls and informal street entertainment, while evening activity is increasing as the summer season approaches.
Live music is now a nightly feature across main entertainment zones, with tribute acts, DJs and bar performances contributing to strong visitor activity.
Tourism officials also note continued preparation for upcoming seasonal events, including the build-up toward traditional spring and early summer festivals.
ALTEA – Culture and coastal leisure
Altea continues to focus on cultural tourism and relaxation, with art galleries, artisan shops and small exhibitions operating throughout the Old Town.
Live acoustic performances and low-key entertainment are taking place across seafront bars, while boat excursions from Altea harbour are operating regular coastal and sunset sailing routes depending on weather conditions.
ALBIR / L’ALFÀS DEL PI – Community events and live music
L'Alfàs del Pi and the Albir area maintain a steady mix of expat and local activity.
Weekly Friday markets remain popular, while Irish pubs and live music venues continue to host regular bands and acoustic performances.
The Casa de Cultura is also hosting community exhibitions, theatre and social events throughout the week.
LA NUCÍA – Sports and weekend activity
La Nucia continues to centre around sports tourism, with its major sports complex hosting training camps and competitive events.
The Sunday rastro flea market remains a key attraction, drawing visitors from across the region.
FINESTRAT – Coastal leisure and markets
Finestrat is experiencing growing beachfront activity as beach bars and restaurants reopen for the warmer season.
Markets in La Cala continue on Tuesdays and Saturdays, offering local produce and artisan goods, while sunset dining and relaxed evening entertainment are becoming more frequent.
VILLAJOYOSA – Culture, coastline and local life
Villajoyosa is experiencing steady early-season activity, supported by its historic old town, colourful seafront and growing cultural tourism offer.
Local markets and small artisan trading continue throughout the week, while the seafront promenade is seeing increased footfall as warmer weather returns.
The town also maintains its reputation for traditional fishing heritage, chocolate production history, and quiet beach tourism, offering a more relaxed contrast to nearby resort centres.
INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE – Benidorm EV expansion
Alongside tourism growth, Benidorm is also continuing its sustainability rollout, including new electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the Levante area as part of its broader mobility and climate strategy.
The project forms part of EU-backed funding aimed at supporting low-emission transport across major Mediterranean destinations.
REGIONAL SUMMARY
The Costa Blanca continues its gradual transition into peak tourist season, with activity levels rising steadily across all major towns.

Local & Spanish


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