On 1 March, the cities of Barcelona and Sant Adrià de Besòs will host the sixth edition of the UNIRUN, the university race. The race is promoted by the twelve Catalan universities through the ECU (Catalan University Sport), with support from the Secretariat-General of Sport, the Barcelona City Council and the Sant Adrià de Besòs City Council. It is also sponsored by Adidas and has been organised by Gaudium Sports.
This year’s UNIRUN was presented at the Old Estrella Damm Brewery on 10 February, in an event which featured Dr Margarita Arboix, rector of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; Joan Callau, mayor of the Sant Adrià de Besòs City Council; Gabriel Arranz Herrero, director of Sports Promotion and Events for the Barcelona Sports Institute; and Pere Vilà, Regional Representative for Sport in Barcelona.
Proceeds from this year’s UNIRUN will benefit the Social Programmes at the Fundació Autònoma Solidària. This university social action organisation, in which students participate as volunteers, contributes to the social reinsertion of individuals in correctional facilities; makes the experience of hospitalised children more pleasant; provides support for refugees; and ensures equal opportunities for children and young people at an educational disadvantage.
The patron of the sixth edition of the UNIRUN is Pablo Navarro, a student at the UAB, member of the international junior team and one the most promising talents in Spanish handball.
This is the 6th edition of the most popular Catalan university race, and UIC Barcelona will once again be present.