September. Last of the summer wine.

[Bierzo Baggie]

The Ponferrada 10k turned out to be closer to 9.2k. It was supposed to mark a week of pedestrian–friendly activities. Hundreds of “Ponferrada without my car” T-shirts were being given away although at the race start I noticed that everybody had turned up in their vehicles (me included). The circuit was an attractive urban one all around town, up the hill past the castle and through the old part. The first 6 kms were marked but then somebody had nicked the 7, 8 and 9km markers. Saw at least 3 naughty people taking short cuts. However, a good time was had by all, it was totally free and on finishing they gave me a smart, blue “Ponferrada without my car” t-shirt, an apple and a mini-first aid kit bag (!) . For the record, boss-man Chus Alonso won in 33 minutes and about 100 runners took part including a few 12 year olds, even fewer lady athletes and only one runner between the age of 20 and 30.
Total running time 40 minutes.