Nearly 1,000 athletes from 25 clubs across more than 50 locations in Extremadura will gather in Cáceres on 8 November for one of the region's premier sporting events. The XLII Trofeo Diputación de Cáceres de Campo a Través will take place at the Complejo Deportivo Provincial El Cuartillo, which this year introduces two new circuits and serves as the venue for the Campeonato de Extremadura de Campo a Través por Clubes. This competition will decide which teams will represent the region at the Campeonato de España.
The event was announced on Thursday by Pablo Miguel López, the sports deputy of the Diputación de Cáceres; José Ignacio Fernández, president of the Federación Extremeña de Atletismo; and María de los Remedios Márquez Gregorio, known as Reme, an athlete being honoured during this edition.
With 976 registered participants, this year's trophy is expected to be one of the largest cross-country events in Extremadura, surpassing even other notable competitions in the region. Athletes from categories ranging from Sub-8 to Masters will converge at El Cuartillo, making it a key gathering point for both emerging talent and established names in Extremadura athletics.
Pablo Miguel López emphasised the significance of the event, stating it is “part of the history of Extremadura athletics and continues to grow year after year,” both in terms of its sporting dimension and its ability to attract athletes, clubs, families, and fans from across the region.
The Diputación de Cáceres is supporting the event with a contribution of €50,000, along with technical, logistical, and personnel resources. The Federación Extremeña de Atletismo is primarily responsible for the technical organisation of this edition. The collaboration will also help cover participation costs for the Diputación de Cáceres team at the 54th Cross Nacional de Cantimpalos in Segovia, scheduled for 7 and 8 December.
Additionally, the provincial institution is facilitating transport to the sports complex for participating clubs, including those from Badajoz, to enhance accessibility for athletes from various parts of Extremadura.
The fact that the Trofeo will once again host the Campeonato de Extremadura de Campo a Través por Clubes makes it particularly important for local teams, as the clubs competing will have the opportunity to represent the region at the Campeonato de España, set to take place on 22 November in Atapuerca, Burgos.
Fernández expressed gratitude for the Diputación's support for sports, highlighting the numerous events organised by the sports department, including this trophy, the upcoming trip to Cantimpalos as a reward for top athletes, and the Gran Premio de Campo a Través in January, which will also serve as the absolute Spanish championship for autonomous federations and under-18s.
The day’s activities will commence at 10:30, with the main race scheduled for 13:00. Spectators will have the chance to closely follow athletes competing for a place at the Campeonato de España, as well as the young talents representing the future of regional athletics. The programme includes individual and team prizes across various categories, with the top three finishers, along with three additional athletes selected by technical criteria from the Sub-14, Sub-16, Sub-18, and Sub-20 categories, receiving recognition for their participation in the Cross Nacional de Cantimpalos.
The presentation of the Trofeo also announced a tribute to María de los Remedios Márquez Gregorio, ‘Reme’, for her contributions to the growth of athletics in Extremadura. Reme, who began her athletic career in 1988, excelled particularly in cross-country running and became the first athlete from Extremadura to compete in the 3,000-metre steeplechase, setting the region's record in this event. Her successful career continued into the Masters category, where she won numerous medals, including the Spanish Championship in 2009, and she has been part of various Extremadura teams that reached the podium.
Currently, Reme serves as the first vice-president of the Federación Extremeña de Atletismo and holds various technical and federative responsibilities.
