The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport stated in Horta that the Trail Run is "particularly important" to the promotion of "one of the most important tourism products" of the Azores: pedestrian trails.

Vítor Fraga spoke Sunday at the prize-delivery ceremony of the "1st Azores Trail Run - Triangle Adventure," stressing that pedestrian trails are "clearly the main tourism product" of the Azores. A recent study conducted under the Strategic Tourism Plan demonstrates that 51% of the tourists visiting the archipelago "use the pedestrian trails, which clearly shows the importance of this product in the regional tourism sector."

Currently, there are more than eighty trails with a total extension exceeding 716 kilometres, spread across of all islands.

The Secretary for Tourism invited athletes to return to the Azores in February to the "Columbus Trail Run" on Santa Maria  and in May to the "Azores Trail Run" on Faial.

Vítor Fraga also invited athletes to return "to the 'Triangle Adventure" that will take place next year on a date to be announced by the organisation shortly."

For the Regional Secretary, the fact that these events will continue "clearly demonstrates the success of the organisation of these events in the Region, which is evidenced by the growing number of participants coming to the Azores."

Vítor Fraga praised the work carried out by the Blue Island Independent Athletics Club for "all the effort and dedication they have shown in the development of this sport in the Region." Trail Run is a new sport in the Azores, having just started over a year and a half ago.