Palma Half Marathon & 10km

21st October 2012

Following the sun…

Eschewing the mud of Heaton Park four members of WRC and friends/other halves decided – in the words of the race organisers – to 'follow the sun' and head to Majorca for the weekend and compete in the Palma half or 10k (which started just before the half on a different course).

Pre-race preparation went out the window thanks to a friendly bar the night before under the influence of Mr Wheeldon, while conditions weren't looking good as we awoke on race day to cloudy, blustery skies. But by race start the sun was out and  the temperature was rising well into the 70s,  although the strong breeze didn't make for PB conditions.

The first 10k of the half took us out and back  along the seafront past the swanky yachts, before we headed back into the old town by the city's awesome cathedral for the second half around the maze of narrow cobbled streets. The 10k route basically just looped the old town.

We all found the first half tough in a strong facing wind and exposed to the sun, but once the race headed into the old  town the shady streets were most welcome, although pouring a bottle of water over your head at each station was still required!

The only snag then was that we all started to bump into the marathon runners who had set off 20 mins before. This became particularly tricky as the alleyways became narrower and narrower. As we headed back to the seafront the race split as the marathoners went their own way (crazy fools) leaving us to enjoy the cheering crowds alone to the finish.

In the heat, a half was definitely enough and although we were all a bit slower than we thought, on reflection it was also a very twisty course and times were pretty irrelevant as we soaked up the atmosphere. There was a great atmosphere throughout with plenty of authentic Spanish sounds to keep us going and shouts of 'vamos' along the way!

We've now retired to a large jug of sangria but would thoroughly recommend this race to anyone thinking of a completely different race experience. Maybe a WRC weekend trip in 2013?

Jim

Half marathon

(1: Antoni Roldan 1.10.52

15th overall Jim Pendrill 1.21.17

5th lady Sharon Johnstone 1.31.03

2nd V40 Janine Ellis 1.37.40

(Oliver Johnstone 1.44.19)

10k

(Richard Ellis 55.29)

Martin Wheeldon 1.12.22