Almeria 2010

[El Gordo]

Someone had to do it -- and I've done it. Welcome one and all, to the Almeria 2010 thread.

For anyone unaware of this annual tradition, I'll explain. For the last 5 years, we have gone to Almeria, southern Spain, for the half marathon. It's usually the last weekend of January. In 2010, the race is on Sunday Jan 31st.

Who are "we"? Anyone who wants to go. The irrepressible party animal, Sweder, has been an ever-present. I've been 4 times. SP and Niguel 3 times. This year, the one occasion I've not been able to make it, the group was more than a dozen, though it has usually been smaller. In short, it's open to all, and includes partners and anyone else who fancies the possibility of a bit of winter sunshine, and the certainty of much Guinness, Rioja, and camaraderie.

Oh yes, and there is a race involved. The medio maraton is a decent half marathon. It's a road race; two loops around the pleasant town of Almeria, including one medium hill tackled twice, and long stretches along the Mediterranean. It finishes in the new Almeria La Liga football stadium.

The entry fee is ludicrously low - usually less than 10 euros, and includes pre-race meal, tee-shirt, and goodie bag filled with unlikely items, including a punnet of tomatoes. Weather is changeable. We've had warm sunshine and we've had an arctic-style blizzard. No guarantees available.

We traditionally fly out early on Saturday and return sometime on Tuesday.

We also traditionally have a big meal on Sunday after the race, then get drunk. On Monday, we run along the beach, run down a mountain, then get drunk again.

Our ever-helpful, over-tolerant host is Antonio, or Anlu of this parish. We are very grateful for him putting up with our appalling behaviour, which he seems to accept with an admirably detached bemusement. He also has very nice friends who we look forward to seeing each year.

Until this year, there were direct flights to Almeria from Gatwick but these seem to be discontinued. We now have to fly to Murcia or Malaga, and drive to Almeria.

We stay at the Tryp Indalo, a smart and cheap hotel a mile or so from the action.

So. Firstly, who's in? First timers particularly welcome, but if some of the same-old same-old insist on coming again, then so be it. I'll have to grin and bear it.

Second, for my benefit please, can I ask people who went this year what can be learnt regarding transport and general arrangements? Should we try the Malaga route this year? I see that Aer Lingus and Monarch fly from LGW, arriving around 11am on Saturday, and EasyJet fly back at around 6pm on Tuesday. Total cost at present about £53.

All thoughts welcome.