Korrika is the Basque name of a Country-wide walkathon organised by the Coordinator for Basque Language and Literacy/Learning (AEK) in support of the Basque language. The objective of the event is to enhance awareness of Basque and raise funds to carry out this work on a daily basis in AEK study centres.

The first Korrika took place in 1980 and the course ran from Oñati (Gipuzkoa) to Bilbao (Bizkaia). Since then, the walkathon has become one of the Basque Country’s major events in terms of number of participants. Over the past 28 years 15 korrikas have been held.

This year the Korrika begun on March 26th in Tutera and will last 11 days non-stop, covering 2000 km throughout the Basque Country. As in previous editions, hundreds of thousands of people of all ages and fitness levels will be taking part.

A hollow baton is carried during the walkathon and exchanges hands at each change of kilometre. Inside there is a message which will not be made public until the Korrika ends on April 5th in Vitoria-Gasteiz, when a well-known Basque personality will read it out loud.