Popular sport is also part of a more humane city. Last Sunday, October 17, history was made in Lisbon with the return of the mythical Vale Hillclimb. The last race was in 1954.
Rua do Vale de Santo António, about 600 meters long, is one of the steepest streets in Lisbon. It's as steep as 22% at its steepest point. To make matters more difficult: the entire road is cobbled. In 1941, a sporting event was set up there, but it was open to non-sporting people, to cycle up the "ramp". The last time it was climbed was in 1954.
67 years later, the Mirantense Football Club and the Sports and Recreational Association "O Relâmpago" (ADRR) combined their efforts for this amazing cycling event that will forever be remembered by all those who took part and watched it. On Sunday, October 17th, they brought back the mythical Climbing the Vale Ramp.
As the newspapers of the time attested, the Subida do Vale de Santo António was the focus of attention and enthusiasm right from the start, with crowds from Lisbon's various working-class neighborhoods flocking to it, filling the streets and decorating the windows on a day of celebration and popular sport!
The race consisted of a climb up Rua do Vale de Santo António, in the parish of São Vicente, from the start to near the finish. The 600m route required an almost titanic effort from the runners due to the steepness of some sections of the climb, which was driven by the collective spirit of everyone watching along the ramp.
With the return of the Subida da Rampa do Vale, another step has been taken in the mission to bring sport (and sportsmanship), enthusiasm and conviviality between participants, fans and residents back to the streets of Lisbon's neighborhoods. Sixty-seven cyclists took part in this return race, which Mirantense and Relâmpago hope will become an annual event.
