Barcelona Half Marathon
Report by Paul Ackerley
23,000 registered for this HM (the highest number ever), and 18,500 took part (that’s a lot that failed to turn up…). Everything pointed to it being a potentially fast HM… long straights, very flat, very few corners, four lane roads for much of the run and pacers ranging from 1 hour 15 mins to 2 hours. And supported by a slightly overcast, calm and warm 17 degree C, it was – the winner took less than an hour, and in my 54-59 age category a new world record was set for the age – an impressive 1 hour 10 seconds (and it wasn’t me, although I probably didn’t need to point that out…).
The race appears to be geared towards providing a fast course for elite runners, and the facility for as many tourists who want to run it as possible. This prioritising of speed and quantity over quality means that, disappointingly from my perspective, the run passes few of Barcelona’s sights.
Very well marshalled at junctions, and well supported by locals… a few local residents crossed the course, sometimes with a dog or a bike, and they were roundly jeered by other locals.
I was surprised to see how many ambulances and medical responders there were around the course, and even more surprised to see how many of them were actively engaged with helping injured / ill runners… I was left wondering whether ‘fast races’ generate more injuries as people push themselves that little bit further?
Overall, a good race if you want to go for a PB…