Palma Half Marathon 2011

Its billed as the Most Beautiful Island Marathon in the World. Having only ever run the Glasgow (half) marathon I didn't have really anything to compare it to although for a Glasgow boy running over the Kingston Bridge or the final stretch in the Green probably means more than the admittedly stunning images of the La Seu Cathedral in Palma !  

 

As it was the start of the October school week we made it a family holiday basing ourselves in Palmanova - a short bus or taxi ride from Palma. We went through on the Saturday afternoon where you collect your number and a special kit bag for clothing. There was a marathon market and a really good atmosphere. At 5pm they had a series of fun run for kids and across all of the age groups had over 2000 kids taking part. Emma and Mark ran 1200m and 600m in their respective runs and both really enjoyed the atmosphere. Majorca was experiencing unseasonably high temperatures and the Saturday afternoon was no different.

 

It was a 9am start on the Sunday so it was just getting light when we left the hotel. It was much colder and I had 4 layers on just to keep warm. It was at that point I decided that there would be no need for sun cream or a hat during the run, thinking gloves might be the order of the day. Schoolboy error ! By the time we were in Palma and a short walk to the changing area at the Parc de Mar the sun had come up and it was pleasant enough just to wear the Calderglen vest.

 

The event is sponsored by TUI and as expected it was well organised. Plenty of marshals, changing areas and a proper 'big event' type set up. There was the normal complaint about lack of toilets and while the men made the usual use of natural surroundings I felt slightly uncomfortable to see such a long line of men using the Cathedral walls ..... oh well, if you cant beat them join them.  

 

There is a full marathon, half, 10k and Nordic walking events, all starting together and following the same route with turn offs at the various stages. The organisers claim 9000+ runners representing 59 nationalities over all events, a 15% increase on last year. Obviously a large Spanish contingent but also well attended by the Germans. They have a competition to see which City gets the most runners (Reutlingen with 89) but followed closely by Dortmund and Berlin. A couple of Scottish and a decent crowd from England.  It was getting busy near the start and I took an early position in the pen. The atmosphere built at each time warning. At 90 seconds they played Chariots of Fire, followed by a chant from the Germans and strange clapping thing and I honestly thought I was about to 'let go' !!!   Off we went and although very busy it was no worse than Glasgow. By the 1K mark everyone was into their stride. The first 9k is out and back along the sea front, passing the Cathedral and the hundreds of boats in the Marinas. Nice and flat but completely open and the sun was a blazing 23 deg with not a cloud in site. No sun cream - no hat.. remember. At 4K I had to take on water. After 9k we turned off the front and into the old town. The narrow streets offer some welcome shade but the downside was that there was more of an incline. Lots of twists and turns at least let me see the lead pack a few times but there were some long inclines. I went through 10k in 42:17 and still felt good. At 12k there was one of the dreaded inclines which cost me 10-15 seconds on that kilometre alone. You really need to make up the time on the flat or downhill and although I came back that time there was less improvement after each remaining incline. At 18k I had another bad time then the marathon people break off at 19k to head along the sea front in the opposite direction. Its one of those cruel races that take you back towards the finish line but out for another 1k loop but by this time we were back in the sunlight and I was struggling. Came home in 1:31:39 (13 secs slower than Glasgow), placed 193 and 35 in the M40 category. I was a bit disappointed in my second half performance but whether it was the heat or just the inclines that were too much I don't know.

 

There was a course record for the half in 1:08:41 (Spaniard) and another course record for the 10k in 31:51. An English guy won the full marathon in 2:34:17. Lots of other prizes for other categories including the lowest time for a 4-counting team.    

 

I don't have a lot of experience of these types of big races but I am a fan of Glasgow and this was definitely on a par. If you are just going for the run and to enjoy the experience then I wouldn't hesitate in recommending it.  Its not a slow course but not totally flat either. As I said the weather was at the top end of what they normally get. Last year it rained during the run and the afternoon of the day I ran it was cloudy. For a 10k or half its a good course. The Half seems to be the event of choice and TUI have said they will make it a bigger cultural event next year. Spoke to one guy who ran the marathon and although the first 10k and last 20k are flat they are also out in the open and so exposed to the sun if it shines. That said I had already convinced myself to go back and do it next year but then found out they have moved it back a week so its now at the end of the school week (21st Oct). If I could ditch the family it would make a great weekend trip .....

(All the photos from Phimi are here - not for those easily offended!!)

 

Hasta Luego

Phimi