Going out for a run.

[Bierzo Baggie]

Nearly missed out on this one.

It all started two Thursday nights ago. I’d gone for a couple of beers and a game of pool with Bulgarian Pete after work. Bulgarian Pete runs, but he always takes a skipping rope with him. He’ll cover about 500m and then get the rope out and skip for a minute or so before setting off again. This is how Bulgarian Pete runs and fair enough.

Anyway, I start telling him about the first race of the season and he’s getting interested, particularly when I mention that the post-race meal is the hugest paella this side of the Schengen zone. But then I remember a rumour I’d heard recently. That this year the race was going to be oversubscribed. That a few decent runners were coming from other provinces. From other countries even.

For the previous 3 editions it had been easy enough to sign up at a mountaineering shop just up the road. I’d always registered at the last minute. This year it was an internet-only affair. All a bit flash I’d say. And guess what? The entries had opened that very Thursday morning.

So I started to get a bit anxious. So anxious was I that when Fat Frankie offered us a round of drinks on the house I mumbled something about having things to do and made a swift exit, leaving Bulgarian Pete open-mouthed. What could be so important that a man turns down a free round from Fat Frankie? Let's just call it a runner's hunch.

10 minutes later I was back home, logging on and hurriedly signing up for the race. Texted Pete to ask if he wanted to join.

“Only if I can take my skipping rope” .

The next morning the race was full. A fully subscribed race in El Bierzo is as rare as a free round of drinks from Fat Frankie. A fully subscribed race in less than 24 hours is unheard of.

The next surprise came when the list of runners was released. Amongst the 450 or so listed are;

Marco de Gasperi, Italy: 7 times World mountain running champion apparently. The only runner to beat Kilian Jornet in 2011.
Tom Owens: One of the strongest UK fell/ mountain/ trail runners last season.
Kenny Richmond, Scotland. Top veteran runner. Probably coming to El Bierzo with Tom.
Emanuele Manzi, Italy. Vertical skyrace specialist, whatever that is…
Zigor Iturreta, Basque: 2ND Ultra Trail Mont Blanc 2010.
Oihana Kortazar: World and European ladies champion.

Oh, and Bierzo Baggie: Last but 3 at Zegama (3 and a half hours behind Tom Owens!).

I’m half expecting it all to be some bizarre publicity stunt. I mean, all these professionals can’t be coming just for the monster paella.
Or can they?