The Pinedo 'Corregudes de Joies' Association has finally decided to suspend the horse races scheduled for August 12th, coinciding with the solar eclipse. The decision stems from safety concerns due to potential crowd gatherings on the beaches. The suspended races will be moved to August 11th, slightly altering the original schedule which ran from August 10th to 14th.
The 'Corregudes de Joies', which are riderless horse races on a 700-meter stretch of Pinedo beach, are not the only concern for the València City Council. They are relying on the experience gained from previous deployments, such as those during Fallas and the Night of San Juan, to design the necessary measures.
To access the official eclipse viewing point at Malva-rosa beach, the Local Police will implement a system similar to that of San Juan, with controlled access in sections and at specific times, and reinforcement of EMT public transport towards the coast.
The possibility of closing certain public monuments, such as the Serranos Towers, is also being considered to prevent crowds or disturbances.
There is significant concern regarding the Silla road (CV-500), the access route to l'Albufera, one of the most sought-after locations to witness the eclipse. Its closure to traffic is planned for 6 PM, two hours before the event, with a strong deployment for the preceding hours. For residents, documentation proving residency will be required, similar to how access is managed during Fallas.
The Devesa park will also remain closed to the public, with special surveillance in the surrounding areas, which are particularly crowded during the summer months.
Overall, the city is preparing for a potentially massive event for which there is no precedent, necessitating the design of measures on the fly, with possible changes until the last moment.
