Barcelona Marathon 02/03/2008    

As with all our weekends away the aim is to see as many sites as we can and enjoy the culture which basically means eat and drink as much as possible. The marathon is incidental so every rule about pre race preparation is well and truly broken.

Although the previous week had been cool in Barcelona the weekend had warmed up considerably and only the Spanish felt the need for coats and scarves. The Brits looked somewhat out of place in shorts and T shirts but then 24* is like a summers day for us.

Sunday morning started off fairly cool but it was obvious that once the heat had burnt off the haze it would be another hot day.

 The organisation at the start was efficient and relaxed. The registration and expo area had been cleared away and now doubled up as the baggage and relaxation hall. We chatted and mingled with fellow runners from other British clubs and posed for photos with the few Dartford Road Runners who had left the pub in time for the start. We then sat by the fountains outside and were so chilled and busy chatting that we lost track of time and had to run to the start. Luckily we were both allocated the slowest pen so were able to slip in at the back. With only seconds to spare we were off and what better music to accompany us on our way than Freddie Mercury singing Barcelona.

 By the time we’d completed the first kilometre I’d lost Janet. She had two options – try and break 3.45 alone or run slower but put up with my moaning. She chose the first!

 The first major landmark at 5km was Camp Nou, home of the Barcelona football team. Having seen this 120,000 capacity ground on television, bursting at the seams with supporters, I was looking forward to something quite breathtaking. From the outside though it looks no more inviting than an industrial retail park. That was disappointing.

 At 10km we were cheered on by the Dartford supporters then after passing our apartment we headed up towards the Sagrada Familia. This is possibly one of the most famous landmarks in Barcelona. Gaudi was commissioned as the principle architect in 1883 and even though he devoted 40 years of his life to the project and work has continued since his death it’s still not finished. 2030 is the latest expected completion date.

The stretch between 20km and 30km was entertaining because twice the route doubled back on itself just like in the London marathon. I looked out for Janet but she was already well ahead so I had to make do with noisy banter and singing in my not very good Spanish and French with runners on the opposite side of the road. 

The next 3km were along the coast and at last there was some respite from the heat of the day. With a gentle breeze and music playing from loud speakers the kilometres passed quickly. But then we turned back into the centre and the heat and the energy was sapped from within me. We ran through the Parc de la Ciutadella and under the Arc de Triomf and I knew I should be enjoying it. The reality was that whilst a sub 4 hour marathon was within reach a short while ago the weather had once again got the better of me. I just can’t do it when the radiators are turned up. It was now just enjoy and get round. 

I was quite familiar with the last 7km as we’d walked most of it on the previous two nights. We first ran through the Placa Catulunya, which is the heart of the liveliest end of the city, and then continued past Barcelona Cathedral through the Gothic area. From here we headed back onto the Rambla. This is the liveliest pedestrian thoroughfare I’ve ever encountered. The 1km stretch is buzzing with street entertainers, human statues, and both flower and bird stalls that flank either side.  

The last landmark is the Christopher Columbus column at the end of the Rambla. From here it’s then a gradual climb up to the finish. 

Regardless of time there is always a huge sense of achievement when you finish a marathon. I felt chuffed to pieces. The scenery, spectators and fellow runners had made it a fabulous event. To top it all I could see Janet waving from the steps by the fountain wearing her medal with pride. She beat her goal by more than 15 minutes and said it was a comfortable relaxed run. The heat didn’t bother her at all and she was still bounding with energy. So much so she dragged me out in the afternoon for a nice stroll round the Parc de la Ciutadella. She said the walk would do me good. I saw quite a few people hobbling- they must have been fed the same yarn!

Dave Lewis