Today Ana Juan, President of the Consell de Formentera; Alejandra Ferrer, Vice President and Councillor of Tourism, and Paula Ferrer, Councillor of Sports, presented the 13th Half Marathon of Formentera and the ninth 8K run from Sant Ferran to La Savina, both of which will take place Saturday 14 May. More than 3,700 athletes from various countries and cities in Spain have signed up to take part in the trials. The presentation was also attended by Manual Hernández, director of Unisport Consulting, which organises the two events; Nuria de la Torre, director of marketing at Trasmapi, and Gaelle Ledour, chief of the Eivissa-Formentera division of Caixabank. Trasmapi and Caixabank are the two main sponsors of the races.

President Juan insisted that Formentera was "ready and excited to receive the biggest trial on the island's extensive spring sports calendar". She also highlighted changes at this year's starting line: "As an event, the Half Marathon about enjoying sport and this special ecosystem that is Formentera, and it is important for everyone that the event be respectful of the environment. So this year, to respect the habitat of the virot [Puffinus mauretanicus], the entertainment tent has been moved from the starting line in La Mola; and also, like last year, no single-use plastics will be used at the event".

Vice President Ferrer underscored "the attractiveness of this competition that, apart from giving participants a way to tour the island from tip to tip, provides them and their companions with a chance to enjoy Formentera, and our nature, culture and gastronomy, in the month of May".

Formentera's spring of sport

For her part, Paula Ferrer said she was "very satisfied because the island is showing that we can host globally relevant events in an array of sports like sailing, judo, chess, cycling and athletics. Taken together, the various functions draw upwards of six thousand people to the island". The Councillor of Sports additionally praised "the work of volunteers, security forces, civil protection and medical workers that make this competition possible".

Lastly, Manuel Hernández stressed that "the race has again practically covered its quota of participants, another sign of its relevance and consolidation on the national and international calendar".

Saving 22,500 plastic bottles

As in 2021, whenever they wish, participants will be able to fill a reusable water bottle delivered at the finish line with water or soft drinks. The containers can be filled at the various refreshment points throughout the race. This will save up to 22,500 plastic bottles in one day.

Ecopilas will be back as well to encourage people to recycle batteries and, this year, in collaboration with the Consell de Formentera and Balearic Government, awareness activities will focus on teaching island pupils about the importance of recycling a highly polluting material.

The two races will start at 5.30pm: the Half Marathon, as usual, at La Mola lighthouse, and the 8K run in Sant Ferran.

11 May 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

The third session of the 2022 Participatory Budgets initiative took place in the Consell de Formentera assembly hall at 8.30pm yesterday. Attendees of the session were briefed on how local associations voted on 20 projects presented as part of the initiative, known in Catalan as Pressupostos Participatius.

Ana Juan, President of the Consell de Formentera, praised associations' efforts to participate in this process and described the selection of projects as "a reflection of our local society". For her part, Vanessa Parellada, Councillor of Citizen Participation, stressed that the projects in health, social inclusion, environment and culture demonstrate the importance of solidarity for the people of Formentera.

Presenter associations and winning projects:
-Formentera chapter of the Spanish Cancer Association (AECC)
Materials for the comprehensive oncologic disease care programme. Approximate budget: €5,000.
-Cosmitos and Formentera Residents' Association (AVIF)
Water fountains in parks, squares and sports areas. Approximate budget: €80,000.
-Surf Club Formentera
Floating ramp for individuals with reduced mobility. Approximate budget: €3,000.
-Association of People with Special Needs of Eivissa and Formentera (APNEEF)
Inclusive furniture in play areas. Approximate budget: €25,000.
-Obra Cultural Balear (OCB)
Non-structural refurbishment of the cinema. Approximate budget: €250,000.

The 2022 Participatory Budgets of the Consell d'Entitats are endowed with €325,000 in funding. Although the forecasted budgets exceed this amount, Councillor Parellada made assurances that no project would be stalled due to lack of financing.

11 May 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera