Race Date: Sunday 20th October 2024
Race Report by Kevin Wong
Signing up for the TUI Palma Half Marathon was a last minute decision (in early October). The event had a full marathon, the half and a 9KM. I was half tempted to do the latter (more on that later).
Here is my synopsis.
Originally, I planned to run the TCS Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon, but that event sold out earlier than expected (brother-in-law dragging his heels). We wanted to do another overseas race before hitting the half century mark.
As I had already booked time off work I needed a replacement. I had a quick look at my European race options, and I targeted Palma. No other Striders were interested in running Palma much to my disappoint.
Before booking everything I did a little recon. I consulted with several members of the Strider posse that had run Palma last year (some went to Bilbao this year). The hotel recommendations were very useful. I settled on the El Clid hotel in Can Pastilla. I put off signing up to the half marathon event until the deadline day (October 8). Just going out to Palma and sitting beside a pool was very tempting.
To be honest I had a bit of hesitation running the Palma HM. The Sheffield 10K was harder than expected (I had not run for two weeks after catching covid). But the Manchester HM, the weekend before Palma HM, went ok so I was less nervous about blowing up in the latter stages around 15KM.
Flew out, on Friday lunchtime, with Ryanair (my first time on this airline). Some Striders had been winding me up about the airline. It departed and arrived on time. There was a big contingent from other northern running clubs on this flight – Halifax, Wigan and Widnes. Chatting to them passed the two hour flight time. Their clubs had an annual overseas race (something the Striders committee could consider???).
Back to the Palma event, I missed the breakfast run, which was held on the Friday morning. I found this a bit strange. Usually a breakfast run is held on a Saturday morning.
I began to notice the heat on Saturday morning – there are no park runs in Spain. Not sure why. So I went on a little recon of Can Pastilla – mainly to find the Mega Park (where the afterparty was being held). It was 3KM from the hotel. At 10am it was already 20 degrees. I am a mild weather runner. Don’t like the cold and hate when it is hot. Noticed there was no shade either.
Around 12pm, I popped into Palma to collect my number on the Saturday morning. Public transport is amazing. Only €2.00. The EMT busses had aircon.
The event village was set up next to the stunning Cathedral of Palma de Mallorca. I had a little wander. I love sightseeing. Sadly the queues to get into the Cathedral were too long. Picking up my number was no hassle. Brought some race souvenirs in the event shop. There a pasta party as well – Nothing to be excited about – A bottle of water, a small portion of pasta (various sauces available) and a free drink ticket token (kept this for race day).
I popped into the old town to do some more sightseeing. The shade of the narrow streets was nice, but there was no breeze. The temperature was now more than 25 degrees by now. I noticed the latter stages of the race were around this area so I thought I best take a look. It was a undulating but nothing what us Sheffield folk are used too. My main concern was the flag stones and cobble stones. We had 9K of this content with. This is when I decided to ditch my race sunglasses.
On race day, it was an 8am start for the marathon and half marathon runners. The 9K runners had a later 8.45am start time.
I got up at 6am and got ready. I was half tempted to stay in bed and sit by the pool (the hotel had three nice pools). I had a target of two hours, in my head, just get out of the sun. Also I am not a morning person. A quick coffee and I was ready.
The runners staying at the hotel, whom had opted for the TUI marathon package, were picked up at 6.30am. I headed to the bus stop, with some of the French and German runners, and waited for an EMT bus. On race day all EMT buses are free for runners from 7am to 5pm. Taxis cost €25.
We got to the Cathedral around 7.20am. It was still dark. Had a couple of toilet breaks before finally dropping my bag off at the “wardrobe tent”. All the runners then proceeded to walk to the start line. Have I written that the views of the Cathedral are stunning 😊.
There was not need to warm up as we had to walk down the Parc de la Mar toward our pens. It was a good 1KM.
What I did notice was all these inflatable arches with the race sponsors names (will be moaning about them in a bit – I am not Victor Meldrew honest). There were at least 8 of them.
By 7.50am, the sun was rise and the music blaring. It was a party atmosphere. A female singer was doing a rendition of “heaven is a place on earth”. A song on my playlist. It was going to be all about the playlist soon… It was a nice 14 degrees. I got chatting to two Liverpool runners whom live closeby to where my gran used to live.
At 8.00am we set off. The first section for the marathon and half marathon runners was a loop section of the Paseo Marítimo / seafront promenade – checked the spelling 😊.
The construction work made the outward section, of the loop, a bit tricky. We headed along the Autovía de Levante, towards Andratx. Lots of bottlenecks. So if you want a fast time you need to start with marathon pacers. Not much room to overtake unless you ran on the pavement.
The turning point was around 4KM at Club de Mar roundabout (it is a roundabout). It was then time to play the game “if I won the lottery”. The harbour, on our right, was full of nice looking yachts. If only…… Again the views were stunning. Managed to pass the four hour marathon pacer around this point.
There were lots of drink stations on route – with volunteers handing out either cups of water or energy drinks. You could also get a small bottle of water as well. If you plan to do his race, there is no need to wear a hydration vest / or carry gels for this event.
Here is the official breakdown:
1st: km 4 after the turning point in front of Club de Mar: Water, isotonic drink and sponges.*
2nd: km 8’5 at Plaza Nuredduna: Water, isotonic drink, fruit.
3rd: km 12’3 at Escola Graduada: Water, isotonic drink, fruit.*
4th: km 16’5 at C/Sant Miquel by Porta Pintada/C/Olmos: Water, isotonic drink.
5th: km 20 In C/Union, in front of Gran Hotel La Caixa: Water, isotonic drink, fruit.
Around 7K we got to run past the Cathedral again. It was now around 8.40am and the sun was out and it was getting warmer and warmer. The electronic temperature signs had 20 degrees. Plus no shade on the Camí de s’Escollera section. There was little breeze from the sea.
By this point, runners had begun to discard running tops. It was that hot.
Along the route there were live bands playing an assortment of music. From traditional Spanish music to soft rock classics.
By 12KM, it was the end of the lovely tarmac roads. We headed into the old town. This was when the flag stones and cobble stones surfaces began. Not my favourite bit of the race. The hills were no problem, more like speed bumps, compared to what we have in Sheffield. Not a fan of the zig zap route of this part of the race – sharp turns and then back down the next road.
I am glad that I opted to wear my glasses instead of my race sunglasses. Lots of trip hazards. The only relief was that we were out of the sun. It was now 25 degrees and rising.
As we got into the last 5KM, I played spot the post boxes. They are bright yellow – even I could not miss them. I needed something to take my mind off the uneven road surface and heat. It is around distance you begin to contemplate life choices – like why on earth did I sign up for this. The support from the speculators was much appreciated.
Around 19KM, there were people dressed up in red costumes – either devils or lobsters. By now I couldn’t wait for the race to end and find some shade.
The last section of the race was on the Parc de la Mar next to the Cathedral. This is when the inflatable arches became annoying. They gave me false hope that the race was about to end. I didn’t know when to use my sprint finish. Eventually, I crossed with a chip time of 1:48:13. It was much faster than I expected.
I think that I was the only Strider that attended this the Palma event.
In the event village, I caught up with the Wigan, Halifax and Widnes runners. Most of them had completed the 9KM and were already merry. We had a little northern running club gathering. I also got chatting to a Totley runner (from Broomhill).
I think the Worksop HM is going to be a left down after this event. Only joking…..
Registrations are open for 2025.I have signed up the Palma Half Marathon 2025. It is a well-run event.
Here are the results of all the events:
Marathon
The men’s marathon was won by Morocco’s Aziz Saifri in 2.28:28. The first female finisher of the marathon was Annika Uckel, unaffiliated, in 02:56:42.
Half Marathon
The men’s race was won by Luca Cantoni of Athletics Valli Bergamasche Leffe in 01:09:02. The first female finisher was Jemima Tempo of Western Temp in 01:23:48.
9k
The men’s race was won by Rene Menzel of 361 Europe in 29:36. The first female finisher was Liv Westphal, unaffiliated, in 32:36.
My result:
