Calvia,
Sunday December 13th 2009
Race Report by Sheila Duffy
Four Handsworth Roadhogs, Alan Ashforth, Alan Burgess, Nigel Dorman and me travelled to Palma, Majorca on Friday 11th December. The trip had been organised through Running Crazy a company that specialises in running holidays. Malcolm from Running Crazy met us at the airport and drove us to our hotel. The weather was glorious. We hit the bar for a couple of beers, a walk on the beach followed by tapas.
Saturday was spent soaking up a bit of culture in Palma- the cathedral, art gallery and of course the local food and wine.
On Saturday evening there was a pre race meeting for all the runners, 120 in all who had entered the race through Running Crazy. Malcolm gave us an over view of the course and distributed race numbers, chips and goodie bags. I’ve never had the goodie bag before the race before. It contained a good quality wicked t-shirt in a not so attractive bright orange, a pottery dish, an energy drink and of course, a pen.
Early nights all round ready for a 6.30 am breakfast and the 9am race start on Sunday morning.
The start of the race was about a 15 minute walk from the hotel so the nice people of Running Crazy provided green bin bags to wear. They are surprisingly warm and I was very reluctant to shed mine I can tell you.
Right- the race.
The start was in Palma Nova.
It wasn’t a huge event (about 450 for the half, 130 for full marathon and 150 for the 10k). The half and full marathon runners started together. The course was very interesting, starting out fairly flat with one or two short but not too steep hills. The course took us through Magaluf and Santa Ponsa. It was a very scenic, undulating course and it was nice to be able to see the sea (albeit through the rain) and the marina at Santa Ponsa.
Part of the course took us along the side of the motorway (not on the hard shoulder). There was a foot path which ran by the side of the motorway for about a mile, a bridge across to the other side and a long gradual pull up hill at the other side. This was followed by a very welcome downhill back into Palma Nova.
At 13 miles the half marathon runners cut off to the finish and the marathon runners carried on for a 2nd lap- respect to them all.
The finish was in the brand new Palma Nova sports stadium. We were welcomed into the stadium by the Running Crazy team and given Union Jack flags to carry to the finish. Malcolm seemed to be omnipresent- on the course at various points taking photos and video and at the finish with flags and drinks
At the end we were given a medal and a bag with fruit and drinks. The Running Crazy team were in the stand waiting for us with San Miguel and Cava, very welcome!
The race was very well organised and well marshalled by the local police. Roads were closed on the side we were running on. The water stations were numerous, about every 3k. There was little in the way of local support but the weather probably put people off coming out to watch.
After the half marathon Alan.B, Nigel and myself nipped back to the hotel to freshen up before heading back to the stadium to watch the marathon runners finish especially to cheer home Alan.A. Never having been at the finish of a marathon before I was very surprised at how emotional it is. It brought more than a lump to my throat as I watched some people romp in and others struggle to get over that line. I was full of admiration for every one of them and found it quite awe inspiring. I’d like to think that one day I’ll be able to join them, which according to my daughter, would make me twice as mad as I am nowJ
Marks out of 10? 10
Would I do it again? Absolutely I would
Down side? The weather could have been better but hey- we’ve no control over that. A little bit of support from the streets would have been nice
Up side? Very well organised. The whole experience of running abroad, meeting people from other clubs and other countries and the social aspect of course.
Highlight? A personal one for me- 2nd female vet 45.
A big thank you to my friends who travelled and ran with me, we had a great time; to Nigel for organising the trip and to Running Crazy for a very well organised event. I can thoroughly recommend them
Sheila