Trail of the Lighthouses Celebrates 13th Edition with Record Ciutadella Participation
The Ciutadella runner, Xavi Villalonga. | Photos: Nico Anglada
Long Distance Dominance by Local Athletes
The 13th Trail of the Lighthouses race witnessed an extraordinary display of endurance this Sunday as over 600 participants converged at Ciutadella’s Municipal Swimming Pool finish line. Organized with support from the Fundació Foment del Turisme Menorca and co-financed through Menorca’s Sustainable Tourism Tax, the event showcased Menorca’s natural beauty under ideal running conditions.
At 8:00 AM, 120 athletes embarked on the grueling 46km course starting at Cavalleria Lighthouse. Local runner Xavi Villalonga (Tortugues Runners Menorca) dominated the men’s division with a winning time of 3:36:27, outpacing former cycling world champion David Muntaner (3:52:51) and Ruben Bobillo (3:53:33) who completed an intense battle for silver.
In the women’s division, Núria Femenías delivered an inspirational performance with her 4:46:28 victory, marking a triumphant return to competition after becoming a mother last year. The podium was completed by Laura Ruiz (5:11:38) and Jennifer Cordero (5:13:17), demonstrating remarkable endurance across the challenging coastal terrain.
Half Marathon Highlights
The 21km half marathon saw Borja Coll (Tortugues Runners Menorca) achieve a decisive victory in 1:34:02, followed by Lars Rademaker (1:40:56) and Dani del Moral (1:41:39). Women’s division champion Míriam López Cueva (Ironwill) crossed the finish line in 1:51:25, outpacing Ciutadella’s Mari Allés (1:54:22) and Nuria Sbert (1:54:48).
Community Spirit in Popular Race
The 12km popular race produced one of the day’s most heartwarming moments as training partners Migue Huguet (Tortugues Runners) and Toni Godoy (Pratenc) crossed the line together at 43:00. Marianna Triay claimed the women’s title in 54:33, with Laura Tomás (56:16) and Susana Seguí (57:51) completing the podium.
Official Recognition and Event Significance
At the awards ceremony, Ciutadella Sports Councilor Miquel Ametller joined Es Mercadal Mayor Joan Palliser, Ferreries Mayor Pedro Pons, and tourism officials from Fundació Foment del Turisme to honor participants. The race continues to grow as a key event in Menorca’s sports calendar, combining athletic challenge with promotion of the island’s UNESCO-recognized lighthouses and coastal paths.
With its unique combination of natural beauty, athletic challenge, and community spirit, the Trail of the Lighthouses reinforces Menorca’s position as a premier destination for sustainable sports tourism. Event organizers confirmed plans to expand participant capacity for the 2025 edition while maintaining the race’s environmental commitments.
Images Credit: www.menorca.info