I’m running out of time and I haven’t even mentioned the cheese.
This race is special. In terms of atmosphere, local support and the quality of the runners it’s probably the best mountain race in the world today.
As far as I know no English speaker has written at any length about Zegama... so you heard it here first!
Anyway, back to Basque and the Zegama-Aizkorri soundtrack.
If I set off from Zegama to the hypnotic sound of tree trunk music then I must attack the limestone crags above with something more energic.
Kortatu, the original Basque ska-combo, formed in homage to Joe Strummer and a sensitive little number which brings back memories of slam dancing in sweaty cellars at fiesta time.
“Despierta.
Dispara.
Un gringo,
En tu casa.
Nicaragua Sandinista
Nicaragua Sandinista”...and so on.
The irony was not completely lost on us as we danced on anyway.