Colonia del Sacramento is Uruguay's first European settlement and came to be Uruguay’s very first city. Founded by the Portuguese in 1680, it was conquered and reconquered, founded and re-founded, changing hands between the Spanish and Portuguese crowns, becoming a strategic prize for these two major players in Latin American history.

The preservation and restoration of its historic district, dominated by a fusion of Spanish/Portuguese colonial styles, has been a continuing priority for the locals who turned it into a romantic and authentic piece of living history. It was declared a Historical and Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 1995.

You can get lost in the past just by walking on the crooked cobblestone streets filled with charming cafés, beer gardens, restaurants, boutiques and craft shops. Don’t miss the magical sunsets by the bay, or the street tango & candombe performances in springtime, probably the best time to visit.

Colonia is a touristic magnet for visitors from Buenos Aires, located just 50km and a short ferry across the river Río de la Plata. This little vintage jewel of a city is a perfect, safe and peaceful retreat from the busy capital city life.

GFNY Uruguay - Colonia offers two options: a long-distance course of 125 km with 900 meters elevation gain and a medium-distance course of 87 km with 670 meters of elevation gain. The rolling terrain of Route 21 usually allows for a compact peloton until km 36, where the Rio San Juan climb acts as a natural selection point, splitting the front of the race. The typical coastal winds of Uruguay often play a key role and are an important factor in the race dynamics of GFNY Colonia.

Both routes pass through fields, olive groves, and vineyards, immersed in the rich and unique nature of the Uruguayan riverfront. This region preserves picturesque and historic settlements of European immigrants and is home to Uruguay’s finest dairy products, oils, and artisanal wines, all internationally recognized.

LONG COURSE IS A COMPETITION: Finishers of the long course are eligible for category rankings and Overall and Podium awards. If you want to race and be ranked in your category, you must complete the long course. Top 10% of finishers in each age group earn a spot in the Qualifier Corral at every GFNY World event.

MEDIUM COURSE IS NOT A COMPETITION: The riders of the medium course will be provided their start-to-finish time, but will not be ranked by finish time. All finish times will be listed in alphabetical order.