The finish line area of the Divina Pastora Marathon in Valencia, Spain!
Running on water? Not really, but the start and finish lines of the Valencia, Spain Divina Pastora Marathon make you think you are. There’s more than a cool start and finish to attract runners from around the world to Valencia on the third Sunday in November.
This year the weather was cold and windy on Friday when we went to the Expo at the complex of buildings near the finish line where the Opera House is located. But on Sunday, the temps moved up to the low 60’s and it was a great day to run.
Running kilometers instead of miles is a real difference and seemed to enhance the experience of running in an interesting foreign city. Among the memorable sights along the course were the America’s Cup Port and the beach along the Mediterranean, the University of Valencia, the Royal Gardens, and the Plaza de Toros.
Water stops? They were pretty much like in the U.S., except that hardly anyone spoke English, and being given dried apricots during the later miles was an unexpected treat. Crowd support was great and spectators yell your name on your race bib when you pass by from start to finish.
If you are considering running a marathon in Europe, definitely consider the Valencia Divina Pastora Marathon. There’s no half-marathon, so make sure you arrive several days in advance to overcome the 6+ time difference from the US. Also, schedule your race for the first part of your trip so you can really enjoy the food and culture of the country you visit after your work is done.
We’ll talk more about preparing to run in Europe and the great experiences you can enjoy, so stay tuned.
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