Unirun, organised by Catalan universities, took place on Sunday 1 March

The UNIRUN race, promoted by 12 Catalan universities, took place on Sunday 1 March at 9:30 a.m. The starting line will be at the Parc dels Auditoris del Fòrum. The competition comprised a circuit of 6,779 metres, the same distance as the classic rowing competition between the universities of Oxford and Cambridge.

11/02/2020

The 6,779 metre race was open to everyone and began at the Forum Park's Parc dels Auditoris.

On 1 March the sixth edition of UNIRUN, la Cursa de les Universitats took place at the Forum Park of Barcelona. The race passed through the streets of Barcelona and Sant Adrià del Besós and was organised by the 12 member universities of the ECU (Esport Català Universitari), with support from the General Secretary of Sports, the city councils of Barcelona and Sant Adrià del Besòs. The company Gauidium Sports was the organising entity and Adidas was the main sponsor of the event.

The UNIRUN was presented publicly on Monday 10 February at the Antiga Fàbrica Estrella Damm with the participation of delegates from all 12 universities. UAB Rector Margarita Arboix, as representative of the coordinating university of this year's UNIRUN edition, pointed out that "it is a satifaction to see UNIRUN grow year after year and it is very important for sports to form part of everyone throughout their lives". Joan Callau, Mayor of Sant Adrià del Besòs, pointed out that UNIRUN unites two cities and 12 universities "in a fantastic popular sports morning event". Gabriel Arranz Herrero, Director of Promotion and Sports Events of the Institute of Barcelona Esports, pointed out that the race has become a consolidated event and that its future is promising: "It is a great opportunity to do sports alongside so many other young people".

The sponsor of the UNIRUN 2020 edition was UAB student Pau Navarro, international junior and one of the future promises of the Spanish handball team, who was injured in a dangerous car accident in September and after months of rehabilitiation at the Gutmann Institute, is now planning new goals for his future.

Open to All Participants
The race was open to the public in general: university students, alumni, future students, lecturers, administrative workers, suppliers, and family members of any of the 12 universities.

The sports brand Adidas, main sponsor of the race, handed out T-shirts to all participants. In addition to the individual comeptition, there was also a university group competition. Dorsal numbers, chips, T-shirt and the runner's bag were picked up on Friday 28 February and Saturday 29 February. The central area of the Forum Park offered a pick-up point for participants travelling from Lleida, Tarragona, Vic and Girona, as well as a claokroom. The food stand, with Veri water, Nutrisport sports drings, Frit Ravich snacks and Estrella Damm beer, as well as the prize ceremony, took place at the Parc dels Auditoris.

The ECU offered free bus shuttle service from Tarragona, Vic, Lleida and Girona for those participating in the race.

In this year's edition, UNIRUN collaborated with the Social Programmes of the UAB's Solidarity Foundation (Fundació Autònoma Solidària). The university's social action, which includes the voluntary participation of students, contributes to the social reinsertion of people who have been in prison; helps to make hospital stays easier for children; accompanies refugees upon arrival; and guarantees equal opportunities for children and teenagers who are at an academic disadvantage.