Almeria Half 2009

[Sweder]

OK, I've bored you all about this for long enough - it's time to get planning!

Raceday - Sunday 1st February 2009
Flights - depart Gatwick am Sat 31st Jan, Return am Tues 3rd Feb
Costs - Flight currently around GBP 60 pp; Hotel appx GBP 40 per night (can have 2 sharing); Race entry appx GBP 10

Race entry includes:
(Relatively) warm race conditions
Commemorative T-Shirt
Er . . . race entry (including chip timing)
Goodie pack at finish
Medal
Three course pre-race (Saturday night) meal at El Stadio
Stadium finish!
Almeria's famous hospitality c/o the wonderful Antonio and friends

Races available are 10k and half marathon. There's usually an impressive array of African athletes on show, warming up for the European season.

On Sunday afternoon we'll head for a communal post-race meal (finishing shirts de rigeur). There's an unofficial RC mountain plummett - about 5 miles offroad - on the Monday afternoon, Guinness at Molly Malone's and various other distractions such as tapas bars and rioja.

Because Easyjet don't have the required direct flights we're looking at going in via Murcia or Alicante and driving across to Almeria. I'm happy to drive a minibus if there's one available so costs per capita for this will be minimal.

Right now it would be useful to have a show of hands - this is purely to register interest; there is no financial commitment until you book your flight. Race entries are not open yet - there's never been a problem getting places in the past. We'll be looking to book flights in early November to take advantage of the best deals.

[gary c]

Hi Ash,
I have discusssed this with Julie and we would both like to register our interest

[Sweder]

Excellent news. So far there's me, El Gordo and Seafront Plodder . . . you two makes five. A grand start!

[ladyrunner]

I don't mind helping you with the driving if we can get two people insured on the car/mini-bus.

It sounds like a great weekend.

Julie

[Gillybean831]

Count me in!
so lookin forwards to some warm (ish) weather!
Are we all trying for the same flight?
would be good to.

GB.

[Seafront Plodder]

Are we all trying for the same flight?
would be good to. GB.

That's the plan GB.

[El Gordo]

Seriously, it's a great mid-winter weekend break. Sunshine isn't guaranteed -- there was one year when the race took place in a freezing storm that wouldn't have been out of place in the South Pole. But there is a good chance that there will be a few rays to enjoy, if not during the race, then certainly over the weekend at some point.

The race is absurdly good value for money. For about £4 or £5 you get everything from a teeshirt to a punnet of tomatoes, taking in the 3 course meal, sports bags, various apparel, key-ring, pen, drink, sweets, chip timing and of course the half marathon race itself, which is 2 laps of the town, including the double long haul up La Rambla and along the seafront.

As Sweder says, tradition has taken root very quickly, and we tend to have certain must-do activities like the pre-race meal at the stadium, the post-race meal somewhere half decent, the Sunday evening of Guinness and football in Molly Malone's, the Irish pub, Monday in and around the beach, including a jog along the front and a good lunch, Monday late afternoon we drive up the local dusty mountain for a gentle run down, then Monday evening we hit the bars for tapas and Rioja.

This year, with the prospect of pretty much a full day on the Tuesday, we could rearrange things a bit but that's the general format.

We meet up with Antonio who does a sterling job for the local tourist industry, and also a collection of his delightful friends who always make us feel at home. Let's hope they've done the decent thing and learnt English this time around.

I didn't write a report this year but here are previous years' accounts:

http://www.runningcommentary.net/2007/20...htm#070131
http://www.runningcommentary.net/2006/20...htm#060128
http://www.runningcommentary.net/2005/20...htm#050203

Well worth digging out Sweder's weekend reports too, and I guess Nigel will have posted something from 2005.

Pics in the signature below will also give you the idea.

One day we'll get MLCM over from Australia, not to mention some of the party-pooping Brits (you know who you are...... ).

[Sweder]

Ameria Team RC Updated:

Probables:
El Gordo (21K)
Sweder (21k) + 1 (NR)
Seafront Plodder + 1
Ladyrunner (21k)
GaryChristie (21k)
Steve Sheekey (21k) + Jeremy West (21k) + Terry May (10k)
Gillybean (21k)
Ana (10k?) + ?
Special Guest + 1

Thinking About It:
Simon Ho
Stillwaddler
Mr SW
Niguel
Suzie Q*
Msilv*

If you're thinking about it, do it; it's a brilliant weekend and a decent race to boot.
[SIZE="1"]* extremely doubtful[/SIZE]

[Sweder]

Added Simon to the 'thinking about it' brigade. Details to appear here as soon as I've heard back from Easyjet about their schedule changes/ plans for next year.

Gary here's the link I promised you to Tales from the Two Oceans.
As per my warning you may want to read this in installments over a period of weeks. One reader needed energy gels to get through it

MSilv, go to user CP, select 'Avatar', upload your mugshot and select 'save changes' - you will then appear next to your posts as if by magic.

See y'all out on the hills tomorrow. Don't forget to stop by for chocolate and water top-ups at Sun Station Sweder

[msilv]

hi sweder
thank you
hope i,ve done it .
See you tomorrow

[COLOR="Purple"]Yep, sorted Msilv.
Good luck to all JSJers this morning - looks like a cracking day for it.[/COLOR]