You set off with the half marathon runners, so very busy at the start and for the first few km. Be aware that at least 90% of runners are only … MORE
You set off with the half marathon runners, so very busy at the start and for the first few km. Be aware that at least 90% of runners are only doing the half, so quite off-putting with their quicker pace. Consequently, the refreshments are undersized and very crowded for the first part of the race.
For the full marathon, it is 2 laps and it is the second lap where lots changes from the first lap: suddenly very few people around, both cheering you on and running with you – a bit spooky at times as you can be quite alone with the next runner 100m ahead of you. Also, in the old town if you are a bit slow you get all the Sunday morning shoppers strolling around in the alleyways who do not have a clue what is going on, very frustrating. I did see a few runners disappearing down small alleyways off the main drag – sneaky shortcut or abandoning?
Towards the end of the race you do get some encouragement from some of the tourists sitting in the bars in some of the squares.
The refreshments were really disappointing: uncut and unpeeled bananas, very weak isotonic, disgusting water at some stations. And that’s it, no chocolate or other goodies.
Do not underestimate the heat and dehydration for this race as there is little shade when running next to the sea.
Please login to reply to this review.
Not too good if you do the full marathon
You set off with the half marathon runners, so very busy at the start and for the first few km. Be aware that at least 90% of runners are only … MORE
You set off with the half marathon runners, so very busy at the start and for the first few km. Be aware that at least 90% of runners are only doing the half, so quite off-putting with their quicker pace. Consequently, the refreshments are undersized and very crowded for the first part of the race.
For the full marathon, it is 2 laps and it is the second lap where lots changes from the first lap: suddenly very few people around, both cheering you on and running with you – a bit spooky at times as you can be quite alone with the next runner 100m ahead of you. Also, in the old town if you are a bit slow you get all the Sunday morning shoppers strolling around in the alleyways who do not have a clue what is going on, very frustrating. I did see a few runners disappearing down small alleyways off the main drag – sneaky shortcut or abandoning?
Towards the end of the race you do get some encouragement from some of the tourists sitting in the bars in some of the squares.
The refreshments were really disappointing: uncut and unpeeled bananas, very weak isotonic, disgusting water at some stations. And that’s it, no chocolate or other goodies.
Do not underestimate the heat and dehydration for this race as there is little shade when running next to the sea.
Holiday destination race
The race in Palma de Mallorca (10k, half or full) has been on my list for some years. Start and finish area are in front of Palma Cathedral and the … MORE
The race in Palma de Mallorca (10k, half or full) has been on my list for some years. Start and finish area are in front of Palma Cathedral and the 10km (and the 10km run) is a point to point course along the main (wide) road to the harbour on the coast. After 10km the course turns in the old city of Palma which means more narrow streets and some sharp turns on cobble stone (which was a bit hard on me). A little bit of elevation, up and down throughout many parts of the race. Water and aid station were sufficient to my needs and free alcoholfree beer in the finish area. We got a bag with like an apple and water, medal, but you got to pay extra for the t-shirt (half marathon registration fee was about 30 Euro).
If I am in beautiful Mallorca at that time of the year again, I ll run the PMM again.