Following the success of the 2024 trip, 20 or so GRC members hopped on various budget airlines to take part in the Benidorm 10K and half marathon again.
The event continues to grow, with more than 9,000 runners descending on the town to take part in the races and the organisers know how to create a great atmosphere with music pounding from the race village on the Friday and Saturday.
The 10K and half marathon starts were split this year with 4,000 10K runners gathering in the pens at 4pm, with huge speakers providing various uplifting tunes that both deafened and whipped up the crowds.
Once the race started, the huge throng had a two-mile climb, taking runners up and out of the town centre, past the high rises before coming back down again into the old town before running along a dusky seafront. The final stretch took runners back to the town hall and the notoriously brutal ramp to the finish line.
The route was lined with DJs, music, samba drums and enthusiastic support and everyone was blown away by the atmosphere. While the colder temperature wasn’t exactly conducive to prancing around in swimwear, it made for brilliant running conditions.
First back for GRC was Nicola Ruston-Litchfield who put in yet another storming performance in 42:46 which was 2nd in her age category and an impressive 21st Female (out of around 2,000).
Closely following was her husband Richard Ruston-Litchfield in 44:48, some 18 minutes faster than last year.
Simon Smith was happy to stay upright following last year’s acrobatics, crossing the line in 50:26. The next Smith across the line was Chris in 52:32, a huge course PB.
Sylv Hull absolutely loved the event and finished in 53:05.
Matthew Sadler achieved a 3-minute course PB with his time of 55:20, followed by Martin Carter in 58:54, another course PB, despite having his number ripped off at a water station when an inconsiderate runner cut him up.
Ros Sadler really enjoyed her race, gaining a 5-minute course PB with a time of 1:01:38.
A standout performance came from Edina Burns, in her first 10K race in over 6 years. Despite carrying a chest infection, she displayed her trademark determination and results of her training, nabbing a shiny new PB of 1:03:15, knocking more than a minute off her previous best. She loved the event and has signed up to the next GRC trip to Malta!
Nick Thorpe also had an excellent run, crossing the line in 1:03:35, smashing his previous PB set at Woodhall Spa by over a minute and a huge course PB of 11 minutes.
Running together were Wendy Smith and Suzanne Angeloni. Both were 4 minutes faster than last year with Suzanne finishing in 1:07:37 and Wendy in 1:07:38. Both were super happy with their times, especially Suzanne who has faced lots of injuries.
Clare Smith also scored a 5 minute course PB with 1:09:14, followed by Nicola Cottam in 1:10:36.
Vicki Geeson was also thrilled to improve on her previous best with a time of 1:17:25, a new course PB.
The men’s winner was Harry Johnson of the UK and Alondra Yairet Negrón Teixidor of Puerto Rico won the women’s.
Runners were certainly well looked after with a medal, t-shirt and snacks but sadly no monkey helmets this year.