Swaledale Road Runners

Only two days after our arrival on the Costa Blanca we found ourselves on the start line of the 2nd San Silvstre de Benidorm with 250 excited Spanish runners. Many towns celebrate this Saint's Day with a race, this particular one in Benidorm being just 6.2 kms long, a far cry from my preferred longer distance plods. It was a two lap course, completely flat, with half its length along the immaculate Benidrom sea front. As the weather is currently very settled, with high pressure sitting over Spain, it was 20 degrees, very different to our previous races in December on the North York Moors! Neil ran 23.13 and finished in an amazing 21st place, but was horrified to find out that of the 20 runners ahead of him, 10 were in his 40 - 45 age category. I fared slighlty better, although I had a time of 31.14 I was 5th in my age category. Due to the generosity of the sponsors, the first 5 in each category received prizes, so I found myself, slightly bemused, standing on the podium receiving my first ever individual race trophy!

One week later we entered our second Spanish race, which was a 17.5 km mountain trail race, starting in the small town of Barxeta, west of Gandia. Being used to small, low key fell races, we were somewhat surprised to find ourselves crammed into the plaza with 600 runners, all pumped up by the inspriational music and fireworks on the start line! The course was great, with 790m of ascent and more frighteningly, descent, as the hard stony trail undulated through orange groves, pine forests and on to the mountain tops, with stunning views. Although it was another perfect sunny day, the 9.30 start and ample shade in the pine forests meant that the temperature remained bearable for us unacclimatized, lilly-white Brits! It was a novelty for me to have so much company on the route and there was a great air of camaraderie, including lots of help to stand up when I fell over! Neil completed the route in 1.36.49 in 106th place and I limped in at 2.05.58.

Happy New Year to everybody!

Ros Blackmore and Neil Bowmer