The world’s elite cross-country runners will gather in Albufeira this Sunday (February 8) for the 49th Cross Internacional das Amendoeiras em Flor (Almond Blossom Cross).
The race will once again take place on the iconic Açoteias Cross-Country Course and will also host the 61st European Champion Clubs Cup for Cross Country.
The event was officially presented on Thursday during a press conference at Albufeira city hall.
“It is with great pride that the municipality welcomes another edition of this competition,” said Albufeira’s deputy mayor and councillor for sport, Jorge Carmo.
The Almond Blossom Cross is one of the most emblematic events in world athletics and is internationally recognised by its “golden shoes” symbol. It is organised by Albufeira municipal council in partnership with the Algarve Athletics Association, with support from the Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth and the Algarve Tourism Region (RTA).
In 2026, the year Albufeira holds the title of European City of Sport, the event will bring together around 800 athletes from 75 clubs and 19 nationalities. Among the standout names are Isaac Nader, the 1,500m world champion, as well as Mariana Machado, José Carlos Pinto, Patrícia Silva, Jaqueline Rotich, Hawi Abera, Thierry Dkumwenayo and Oscar Chelimo.
Speaking at the presentation, Jorge Carmo highlighted the quality of the field, stressing the presence of “teams of great international prestige, which make this event one of the most important sporting moments in the country”.
He also announced that a posthumous tribute will be paid on race day to Artur Lara Ramos, a former Algarve athlete, coach and sports official, who passed away in December last year.
Rui Costa, the competition’s technical director, described the race as “an event of great importance for the region, for the sport and, above all, for Albufeira”.
He stressed that it is “the only race held in Portugal that is part of the World Athletics Cross Country Tour – Gold Level”, also praising “the excellence of the organisation, which helps attract both spectators and new athletes to the sport”.
RTA president André Gomes said the Almond Blossom Cross “marked the beginning of a new era in sports tourism”.
He described the event as “a classic, with a long and truly important history for the region”, adding that it is much more than a sporting competition.
“It is a showcase for the Algarve during the low season, helping to reduce seasonality,” he said.
Francisco Chumbinho, president of the Algarve Athletics Association, highlighted the international character of the event and its impact on tourism.
“This celebration of international athletics leaves a lasting impression on those who visit us and inspires them to return to the Algarve,” he said.
