A week after participating in the Track Marathon in Jaén, the opportunity arose for me to run the marathon organized solo by Javi “Siete” in Quinta Park in Burgos. So close, and with free registration, it was too tempting to pass up. Another marathon in the province of Burgos, several of them organized by Javi, ever since the “official” Burgos marathon disappeared.
One might think that Burgos is a marathon province, although even with such facilities, no local runners showed up among the 13 marathoners who gathered at the Quinta on Saturday evening. It was a hot day, and with the start at 8:00 PM, it was still 25°C.
With several runners coming from Tarragona, some regulars in these events were also present, like Txema, Mario, and Pepe Caballer. We were all ready to do 13 laps and a half on a course of just over 3 kilometres in Quinta Park.
We run the first lap “neutralized” to familiarize ourselves with the course, although it is well marked with blue arrows on the ground and doesn’t require many navigational skills. Early on, there are still quite a few people walking around, so we have to be careful not to bump into anyone, especially on the return route along the Paseo de los Atletas towards the start/finish line. Thanks to the numerous trees, we are spared the worst of the sun, which is already low and will soon disappear.
In the first 2-3 laps, I still keep up with the small group of 3-4 at the front, who eventually pulls ahead. Unlike in Jaén, where you were almost continuously accompanied, the opposite happens here. In the end, it’s a marathon you must run solo, with your head.
Javi, always attentive at the finish area, is keeping track of our laps and offering refreshments. We are well supplied: there is no shortage of water, isotonic drinks, or even fruit. Many more prestigious marathons would love to offer such attention to runners. You can tell it is the effort of a marathon runner, who knows what is needed to tackle a marathon and avoid unnecessary distractions.
Looking at the lap times, I see it will be difficult to finish under 4 hours. Physically, it doesn’t seem like I am running that slow, but it must be a wrong impression. It is still hot, and I continue to sweat profusely. Consequently, I try to maintain well hydrated from early on.
Starting the 9th lap, and with still 5 to go, I have a déjà vu of Jaen and having done an extra lap, but soon realize that, indeed, I still have 5 laps left. By then, I have been lapped once by the 4 leading runners, although I still don’t see anyone ahead, I could try to lap. As night falls, the park becomes emptier, making it more comfortable without having to dodge people.
Just before midnight, I am lapped for a second time. Two laps left, and my goal of 4 hours is clearly out of reach. Midnight catches me on the Paseo de los Atletas, when the park lights go out and I am left in complete darkness. Fortunately, I latch onto one of the runners lapping me, who has a headlamp, allowing me to get through the worst stretch without incident. Back at the finish again, I grab my headlamp for the last lap.
Trying to pick up the pace a bit, more for personal honour than anything else, I cross the finish line in 4:38:30, in sixth place out of 9 finishers. The humidity, combined with the heat, caused 4 runners to drop out.
July 13th, 13 runners, 13 laps and marathon number 133 (with the bib-number 3).
Thanks for reading this far, and especially to Javi “Siete” for offering us this marathon.
