Sopelana's naturist race: 5k along wet sand - and naked!

A naturist race, traditionally held every year in the Basque province of Biscay, will take place this Saturday 2nd July on the the Barinatxe beach (also known as La Salvaje), located between the towns of Sopelana and Getxo.

The 5000-metre (3.107 miles) race, which starts at 12:00 pm, is run on compact sand when the tide is out. Children''s category participants start running at the same time as adults, though for a shorter distance.

The race, which this year reaches its thirteenth edition, is a pioneering sports event in the Iberian Peninsula, not only because of its distance or for the peculiar way or place where it is run, but because all race participants must run in the nude.

In 2003, the Basque Country Naturist Club (ENE) took over the race and renamed it the "Patxi Ros Trophy" with the aim and purpose of promoting the Naturist way of life and developing a healthy lifestyle along with Naturism and sports.

The Race was renamed in honour and recognition of its founder, who worked to develop it in an altruistic and remarkable way throughout all past editions of this Naturist sports event.