The team, the soul of the race
The Vertical Montserrat is a solidarity initiative of Bombers de la Generalitat that is part of the
Bombers amb Causa solidarity project. This was born with two main objectives: to obtain funds
to finance research programs in childhood diseases, and to care for boys and girls at risk of
exclusion at the Sant Joan de Déu centers, as well as promoting the inclusion of people with
disabilities.
This initiative aims to promote values such as solidarity, inclusion, self-improvement, effort,
sacrifice and respect for nature.
All the people who participate do so selflessly, and all profits go entirely to this project.
This project is born from two personal experiences
The race was born on May 18, 2016, when two firefighters from the Collbató Volunteer Fire Station, Arnau and David, were going down the stairs of the Sant Joan funicular after doing field work to carry out emergency operational mapping of the Montserrat mountain. While they were going down, the idea arose of organizing a vertical race that would go up the stairs of the funicular. It would be an extreme race in a unique and privileged environment such as the Montserrat Mountain Natural Park. The proposal was discussed with different colleagues and, little by little, it took shape.
That same year, preparations began for what would be the first edition of the Vertical Montserrat, which was conceived as a solidarity initiative to benefit Sant Joan de Déu and to grow the Bombers amb Causa project. It was celebrated on April 14, 2018.
Arnau had already promoted, in 2011, the creation of the Bombers amb Causa calendar to raise funds for medical research into childhood diseases. His little sister, Mar, was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a bone tumor that had no cure, when she was just eight years old. He was unable to help his sister, but he was able to promote the Bombers amb Causa Scholarship for research into childhood diseases and, with it, be able to help many other boys and girls.
The second edition of the Vertical Montserrat adds one more objective to its cause: the inclusion of people with disabilities in sports and also in the organization of the event. In fact, David, one of the promoters of the race, suffers from retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative disease that causes vision loss.
The Vertical Montserrat was born from the personal experience of two firefighters, but, from the beginning, many people from many different fields have joined the initiative. Without their support this would have never happened.
We organize the race
Bombers of the Generalitat of Catalonia
We are a fire department that carries out fire prevention, extinguishing and rescue functions in Catalonia. In March 1983, the Generalitat Firefighters headquarters were inaugurated at the Bellaterra facilities (Cerdanyola del Vallès). That same year, the first class of 50 firefighters trained in the service emerged. In 1986 it became the Escola de Bombers and in 1995 it moved to Mollet del Vallès, to the Escola de Mossos d’Esquadra, which has been called the Public Security Institute of Catalonia since 2007.
Social Work of Sant Joan de Déu
In Catalonia, we are a historical and traditional entity since 150 years ago when we founded the first children’s hospital in Spain, which led to the creation of other pediatric centers, general hospitals and other types of facilities to care for mental health disorders, disabilities, homeless families or at risk of social exclusion in different locations of the territory. Under the name Solidaritat SJD, you will find details of all our solidarity work.
With help of everyone’s support
Montserrat Rack Railway and Funicular Railway (FGC)
The Montserrat Rack Railway and the Sant Joan and Santa Cova funiculars bring visitors closer to one of the most emblematic places in Catalonia. Through these sustainable transportations, users have the opportunity to live a unique experience in the middle of nature and discover this space with its peculiar biodiversity. The Cremallera allows access to the center of Montserrat in a sustainable way. With the Sant Joan funicular you can take a panoramic trip with impressive views, and with the Santa Cova funicular a peaceful journey that combines stories and art. There is much more to discover about Montserrat than what you would initially expect.
Montserrat Abbey
The Sanctuary of Santa María de Montserrat is a religious and cultural reference, not only locally, but – as a 14th century manuscript already certifies – also internationally. Of the more than 2.7 million visitors in 2019 (before the pandemic), close to 60% were international tourists. The majority of those who visit Montserrat do so for religious motivations, but cultural interest is another reason among many more. This is because in Montserrat, the Sanctuary is closely linked to the Benedictine Monastery. For this reason, Montserrat offers a series of activities for its visitors, where the religious and cultural dimensions are intertwined. The Monastery Museum, the Escolania and the Library are their main centers of interest.
Montserrat Mountain Board of Trustees
We are an autonomous entity of an administrative nature of the Generalitat, with headquarters in the Palau de la Generalitat, attached to the Department of the Presidency, and created by the Decree llei of October 16, 1950. We have legal personality and our own assets to fulfill our purposes: managing the Natural Park and carrying out other actions of general interest, giventhe religious and cultural importance of the Monastery and the Sanctuary and the beauty and uniqueness of the mountain.
We join forces for a good cause
