The fourth "San Silvestre" race took place in Benidorm this morning - and there was a fantastic turnout of both competitors and spectators. The start point was on the Levante promenade, just before the Guinness Bar on the front. All of the participants had to register first and receive a number and in total just under 700 entered. The weather was perfect - blue sky and a very slight warm breeze... perfect running conditions so I am told (obviously not through personal experience!)
The serious runners, many of which were from local running clubs started at the front - I noticed that they were already warming up an hour or so before the start of the race, which was at 11am. Behind them were the fun runners - with many of the participants dressing up in festive fancy dress. There were plenty of santa´s and many parents pushed prams with young children too - it was a real family affair and a few pet dogs also joined in!
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| The jubilant winner |
The race was 6km long and went up the Levante front, down the Avd Mediterraneo then repeated the same loop. As the winner came past the finish line he overtook the last of the runners still on the first lap - 2 ladies painted as blue smurfs! You can see them in the picture above.
Each of the competitors received a goodie bag at the finish line - it was 10 euros to enter if you registered before the day and 12 euros on the day.
After the running race had finished the first ever swim took place and the organisers were delighted that 30 took part. Each swimmer had to wear a wet suit if they wanted to take part (the sea would have been far to cold without) and the police and lifeguards were out patrolling on boats in the sea. Big yellow buoys had been planted to mark out the 1km route - which to me looked much further. With Benidorm Island as a backdrop it looked fabulous, though not so fabulous that I would consider joining in mind.  |
| Enthusiastically jumping in.... |
To finish the event a children´s race had been organised - though the route was only 1000 mts up and down the beach front. However to make the children feel like they were competing in a proper race, they had police outriders at the front and back of the pack. Some appeared to be very young - cheered on by parents and grandparents from the sidelines.... preparing them for when they are old enough to enter the marathons!It was a fantastic morning and the encouragement from the spectators was magnificent.