Malaga Marathon 12th December 2021

echancrure · 03-09-2021 4:52pm #1

I registered for this; there's also a half marathon on offer.

http://zurichmaratonmalaga.es/en/registrations-eng/

any tips or sharing of previous experience is most welcome.

Manone · 10-09-2021 12:10pm

I have registered for this too. Having done Barcelona and Seville in the past, I find the Spanish races have a great atmosphere and are well organised.

Weather shouldn't be an issue at that time of year but might still require a little adjustment in race strategy if we have a cold spell here before hand.

TomD101 · 23-09-2021 9:27am

in!

ac20 · 01-10-2021 11:07am

I ran Malaga in 2014. Have to say one of the most enjoyable events/marathons I have done. The expo hall, if you check a map of malaga, is quite close to the airport. So I went straight from touchdown at airport to expo hall and then on into the city. Mind you its not to far from Expo to city centre. Interestingly it was the only marathon I ran whereby I got two event tshirts. One at the expo, and one when I finished , both were different colour and design. Not sure why and not sure if this occurs but it was a lovely touch. The year I ran it, I think about 2k took part, so it was nice and low key but atmosphere was still good. Assuming the course is the same , its fairly flat from what I recall. Temperature wasn't an issue at all. It was sunny but nice cool breeze coming in off the sea. Now that I am writing this I may actually look into doing the half lol . Good luck all.

Manone · 22-11-2021 11:08am

Hope training has been going well for all. I managed to roll my ankle last week resulting in 5 days no running in my peak mileage week. Slowly getting back into it and should be grand for the day itself.

Have started weather watch already and based off current conditions looks ideal for marathon running and post marathon activities!

TomD101 · 25-11-2021 10:57am

should we have a Boards pints meetup apres?!

Wottle · 25-11-2021 8:32pm

I'm doing the half, last 10 days haven't been great.

Went to Barcelona last week to race a 10k, ran appallingly, next day was sick for a week (negative PCR). Took 7 days off and still not quite a 100% this week but better.

Really looking forward to it though

sca21 · 25-11-2021 9:07pm

I'm in for this aswell (all going well), looking forward to it. Training going well, last of the long runs this weekend then a 2 week taper.

echancrure · 26-11-2021 4:36pm

I give myself 4.5 out 10 for marathon preparation: awful diet, preparation too short, missed important runs.

Manone · 26-11-2021 5:48pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118219699#Comment_118219699

Would be up for that, depending on how badly the body feels of course. Have no idea of any decent places for a pint, but I suppose there's likely the ubiquitous Irish bar that would suffice.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118223113#Comment_118223113

Originally planned on a 3 week taper but with the few days off last week with the ankle feel I need to put in another decent long run. Will be keeping it sedate enough, though.

Also worth noting the Covid requirements for cert or evidence of test on the Spanish tourism site https://travelsafe.spain.info/en/requirements-before-arriving-in-spain-from-eu-countries/

echancrure · 07-12-2021 7:26pm

My wife who is doing the half got her bib number by email.

But I am doing the full and did not get anything yet? Anyone else in the same boat?

Manone · 08-12-2021 10:25am

I got my bib number by e-mail yesterday, but the usual had to dig it out of the Junk folder.

You maybe able to search under your name in the app they have available for download.

Wottle · 08-12-2021 12:58pm

I've cancelled my hotel yesterday, my wife decided she wasn't going and then the added hassle of tests there and back.

A little gutted, best of luck to you guys

echancrure · 08-12-2021 2:34pm

Flight tomorrow at 4:30 for us! Took a while to fill in the paperwork...

Won't be a PB for me, just going for enjoyment.

Manone · 08-12-2021 4:01pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118289592#Comment_118289592

My other half decided against travelling too given uncertainty and we definitely couldn't have had the both of us stuck in Spain with the kids at home, so the risk wasn't not worth it. Don't think the favours we pulled for the child care over the weekend stretched to 10 days of quarantine.

Not travelling 'til Sat morning, but downloading apps and getting paperwork sorted definitely painful.

Regarding expectations for the run itself, probably will go with the usual strategy of go off too hard, realize when it is too late and death march to the finish 😀

Wottle · 08-12-2021 7:26pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118290865#Comment_118290865

Never occurred to me to change my flight to the Saturday, which would just mean 1 PCR test on the Friday.

I think I'm back in :-)

Manone · 08-12-2021 8:55pm

I have a Pcr test booked for when I land in Malaga. I fly home Monday so I'll be in the time frame of having test before returning.

There is a test centre in the airport which you can pre-book your test, PCR or antigen.

I assumed the test was required from the origin country i.e. Spain but I suppose that's not going to apply for day trippers.

sca21 · 09-12-2021 1:20am

All is required is a negative PCR test within 72 hours prior to arrival in Ireland. Im getting my PCR test on Friday here (Ireland) and hope to have results Saturday morning before I fly to Málaga. I fly back Monday which will be within the 72 hours.

Maybe I've made a balls of this but no where have I read does the negative result need to be from the country you are flying from i.e. Spain. I'm open to correction on this.

A few hoops to jump through but it will be worth it!

Wottle · 09-12-2021 5:18am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118293780#Comment_118293780

My original flight was Friday, so my PCR would have been Thursday to get results 24 hours later, back late Sunday night, outside of 72 hours, so would have needed an antigen on the way home.

I'm now getting the Saturday flight out, PCR on the Friday and I'll be using that same test for Malaga to Dublin.

I've since found and booked a PCR test for €69 with results 4 to 8 hours later and not a 24 hr turn around.

Excited now

echancrure · 09-12-2021 9:33am

Booked an antigen test at CLINICA MUELLE HEREDIA in town around lunchtime on Monday; flying Monday evening. Means we can spend the day in town rather than going early to the airport.

Fingers crossed it will be negative!

Manone · 09-12-2021 5:58pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118293780#Comment_118293780

Sorry hope I didn't give you the heebie-jeebies and your plan looks sound. As I say an incorrect assumption on my part as I haven't found anywhere where it says it has to be country of origin either (and doesn't make any sense for day return flights).

sca21 · 09-12-2021 7:57pm

It's actually hard to the information on this and is a bit confusing to be honest! I'm sure it'll all work out!!

Weather looks good for Sunday, hopefully not too warm.

Manone · 11-12-2021 7:28pm

Best of luck to all for tomorrow. Weather looking good, with nice temps for the post race recovery.

echancrure · 11-12-2021 8:51pm

Malaga centre is buzzing tonight, fantastic Christmas light, it's 8pm and I have my feet up...

Enjoy tomorrow !

Wottle · 11-12-2021 9:57pm

Best of luck! Hopefully it won't be as warm tomorrow!

echancrure · 12-12-2021 7:15am

Well, it's sun hat and singlet for me.

I will probably end up running 3:15 today, given my poor training and beer belly. Let's enjoy that December sun!

Best of luck all.

sca21 · 12-12-2021 7:41am

Best of luck everyone.

Manone · 12-12-2021 7:33pm

Well that was enjoyable in a painful way. Didn't go to plan, but knew relatively early on I wasn't going to hit the A goal, so throttled back as best I could.

Great city for a marathon and can see this growing in popularity. Thought the organisation was good, although one thing was I didn't see many Portaloo's on the course, but thankfully didn't need them.

I hope everyone enjoyed their race and hit their targets and failing that they enjoyed the lovely sunshine.

Wottle · 13-12-2021 3:59pm

Really enjoyed the before and after, not so much during :-)

I agree on portaloos and same for the start area.

I'll be back next year and probably Thurs to Monday, not sat to sun

Little vid of the race, https://youtu.be/s0nI4pMFNeY

sca21 · 14-12-2021 8:15pm

Great marathon in a great city. Lovely atmosphere throughout the whole weekend. The race itself didn't go to plan, stuck to the target pace until about 33km then a massive struggle from then on. Considering the heat I was just happy to get over the line. The support was great throughout, lots of noise. Some of the water stations were a bit chaotic at best but that's standard for a marathon of this size. The split at the half way when the half marathoners finished was a bit mad, had never seen that done before.

Once Dublin got cancelled this year, I wrote of getting a marathon done in 2021, so the fact that I got one in before the year is out is definitely a massive bonus.

All in all, great marathon experience. Would highly recommend this one.

Manone · 15-12-2021 11:29am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118322016#Comment_118322016

The half split was crazy alright, as I was convinced the marathon went to the left on the signs, but I was following 3 hour pacers so just trusted in them. I think the organizers are missing a beat by not making more of the loop in the stadium as it could have a fantastic atmosphere.

Have to say the travel arrangements turned out to be pretty smooth once you had all docs and apps to hand and I think reduced numbers on the flights also helped make it a bit more pleasant.

Will definitely consider this for next year although I do have a Dublin marathon entry so will have to see how that goes.

echancrure · 15-12-2021 10:07pm

Yes great venue, the half being the nicest part along with the end of the marathon in the old town.

Agree with the portaloos. My legs seized up after 10 miles so it was long one for me at 3:26.xx.

Good fun all around.

py · 24-05-2022 4:42pm

I have this on my radar for 2022. Any advice for doing it with regards to travel or the run itself?

Cona44 · 07-06-2022 11:55pm

Me too, advice greatly Appreciated

Wottle · 08-06-2022 12:47pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119108084#Comment_119108084

I did it last December, great event albeit quite warm.

My main tip would be when you arrive in Malaga, get a taxi straight to expo and ask/pay them to wait for you to run in and get your number. The expo is ok but no need to linger.

If you don't have a taxi sorted, you'll be waiting awhile.

echancrure · 10-06-2022 2:16pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119173636#Comment_119173636

Agree. The expo is a pain: it's out of town and it's really basic. They should get rid of it and post the numbers.

Manone · 10-11-2022 6:26pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119183943#Comment_119183943

I note that the expo has changed location to down by the port this year which is a huge plus. From the Malaga marathon site:

WHERE AND WHEN CAN I COLLECT MY RACE BIB AND RUNNER’S BAG?

The collection of numbers/bibs/chip for the GENERALI Malaga Marathon will take place during the Marathon Expo, which will be located at Terminal 1 of the Port of Malaga (near the Centre Pompidou).

Did this last year and found it enjoyable and signed up for this year but am undecided on whether I will travel over as did Dublin and don't think I'm in the right place regarding fitness levels. I opted for partial refund of entry fee, but I do note that they allow you to drop down to the half.

py · 10-11-2022 6:27pm

I've dropped down to the half myself. Looking forward to it.

longrunn · 11-11-2022 3:39pm

Going over to do this race in December as my first marathon. Training was going fairly well but a couple of small injuries in quick succession has knocked a fair bit off my mileage for the last couple of weeks, and have missed a key long run. I'm sure I'll make it to the start line OK but starting to think my goal time may be in danger. My problem when I get any bit of an injury that impacts my running routine is that my nutrition goes out the window. I eat crap and end up drinking more than I should because I don't have to run the next day.

echancrure · 11-11-2022 10:25pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119858326#Comment_119858326

This is great, I remember putting this in my feedback form for them (yes, they do that). The port is a great location for it as it is central. It's great they moved it.

echancrure · 11-11-2022 10:29pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119861952#Comment_119861952

Treat your niggle/injury as your new sport, and use the time to recover. If going off the rails, make sure you drink plenty of water with it (that helps with shite food and alcohol), return to the path of enlightenment, move on and forget.

Best of luck

ger664 · 12-11-2022 8:02pm

Going as well will be my 100th wont be racing still not anywhere near race fitness after 2 bouts of Covid

Manone · 05-12-2022 6:41pm

So the weather is looking a bit wet for Sunday!

py · 05-12-2022 6:45pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119960382#Comment_119960382

Spotted that alright. Doesn't look like there's much room for change given the size of the rain shower moving in.

longrunn · 08-12-2022 1:21pm

Not just wet, but thunderstorms!

I was told by a friend who has raced this before that a few years ago it was cancelled due to rain.

This is my first full, and after a tough training period with a couple of injuries that made me wonder would I even make it to the line, I just got the all clear from my physio, and knowing my luck it will be cancelled!

ger664 · 09-12-2022 1:12pm

Here since Tuesday. Raining since yesterday and quite humid when running no breeze to speak off. Thunder Showers today. If YR is to be believed 10 mm of rain on Sunday between 9-11 so not looking good to go ahead

py · 09-12-2022 1:29pm

Just landed and there's torrential rain.

py · 09-12-2022 8:27pm

Collected bib and t-shirt this evening. Small enough expo. Shake out run tomorrow morning and then take it easy for the rest of the day.

ger664 · 09-12-2022 9:44pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119976772#Comment_119976772

If you are near the Marina an out and back along the coast is best. Anything in the city is stop start at lights. Did the Expo as well, but number pick up was quick and straight forward.

py · 11-12-2022 10:57pm

Enjoyable route. Great support in horrid conditions. Very light rain at the start with it becoming heavier after about 30-40 minutes. Came away with a PB but miscalculated the last 5-7Km which resulted in a tough finish to my race.

Weather got better so we got back out at midday for food/drink at about the 41Km mark of the marathon. Plenty of support for those in the 4-6 hour mark around these parts. There seemed to be plenty of Irish runners in both runs with a few getting a large round of applause from my friend and I.

Mentioned at last year's event but not enough portaloos at the start of the race. No other complaints and will definitely consider coming back for the half again.

Manone · 12-12-2022 12:09am

Don't think I got as good a wash in a long time! Found it warm despite the rain though.

Can't remember if there was a predicted finish time for allocation of waves, but judging by the pace of people in waves ahead of mine and in my own it was very random, which led to a bit of dodging for the first couple of miles.

Malaga Marathon 12th December 2021

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