After the inaugural Don Benito Marathon, the next one on our agenda was the Badajoz Marathon, again in Extremadura. It’s a marathon with a long tradition where we’ve had several experiences. From being there and not actually running one year, to being registered for the edition that was canceled just days before. This time, to make up for it, I ended up registering twice. First through the 100 Marathons Club, where they offered us a group registration discount. The second time, because I was unsure if I had registered and couldn’t find confirmation in my email. Luckily, we’re talking about an affordable marathon. Only €15, far from the prices of other marathons, and even much shorter races. And offering quite a lot.
For different reasons, I hadn’t competed in Badajoz since 2019. A long hiatus, between the pandemic, two Barcelona marathons, and one in Rome. And with a new course for me. I had always started the race from the park by the river, before the start and finish lines were moved to the Granadilla sports complex. And that wasn’t the only change. Runners used to pick up their bags there. Now it’s at the Badajoz Feria coinciding with a Regional Sports Fair and a livelier setting.
After lingering there a bit, we head to check in at our accommodation before taking advantage of the pleasant afternoon to explore the city. A chance to discover hidden gems we’d barely seen on other occasions, places that might easily go unnoticed on a quicker visit. After a less-than-satisfactory dinner, time to go to bed early as usual.
In the morning, avoiding the walk from the hotel, I join Gorriti’s group, who was also staying there, to get by car to the Granadilla. There, the marathon and half-marathon runners are gathering, finalizing their preparations before the start on the athletics track next to the sports pavilion.
With a single-loop course, there are sections outside the city that take us almost to Portugal, with few spectators and very long straightaways. In any case, for the experienced marathoner, it’s not about who’s around you, but about what’s inside. I set a steady pace, trying once again to stick, at least initially, to the target of 3 hours and 45 minutes. Without much trouble, I reach the halfway point in 1h51m3s, even faster than my target pace.
On a sunny day, on this new course, which is neither easier nor an improvement on the previous one, I tackle the final kilometers with energy. It’s a more sustainable course for the city, as it doesn’t require closing its central area all morning.
Thus, I cross the finish line with a net time of 3.50.08, and 234th place out of 384 finishers.
With this, I complete my 159th marathon, already focused on Valdebebas the following Saturday.