This Sunday morning the streets of our fair city will be a little busier than normal. At 08.30 in Placa Espanya, 15,075 people wearing stretchy lycra and smothered in Vaseline, will head off around Barcelona to see the sights. Quite why they can’t dress normally and hop on the tourist bus is a bit of a mystery, but if you insist in running 26 miles around a city, Barcelona, it has to be said, is a good one to pick.
It is the 33rd edition this year and according to the organisers, participation is up 23% on last time, presumably due to the increase in sightseeing bus ticket prices and this rise makes the Barcelona marathon the 7th most popular race in Europe.
The bookies’ favourite is the Ethiopian Teshome Etanat Gelana. The 27yr old has a best time of 2:07.37 which he set in winning the Houston marathon last year.
We will of course sacrifice a big Saturday night out, to get up early and bring you the result and some photos of the action and if all this inspires you to rush out and buy some trainers and a tub of lubricant, kmatourism will be happy to arrange your accommodation, transport and a good list of massage parlours for 2012!
Finally a quick ‘good luck mate’ to our Belgian friend from Sant Marti d’Empuries, who is attempting to run the whole thing sober this year.
Have read about this marathon and heard it’s a great experience…Are you running it ?
cheers!
A bit too far for me! Will be out taking photos for the blog and cheering on a few friends who are running though. Its a great race, with about 50/50 locals and visitors. Chuck in a few extra days to see the city and its a winner no matter where you finish! Glad you like the blog. Thanks!