Report from Madeleine Delucchi

I was delighted this Autumn to join the annual trip to Majorca and run in the Palma Marathon. Five runners from Otley AC – myself, Phil Robinson and John Armitstead ran the Half and Tom Hannah and Carol Armitstead ran the 9 km. Three runners from Wetherby – Ann Foster and Garry Keenan ran the Half and Mark Foster ran the 9KM.  No one knew why its 9km and not 10km. Big support from Garry’s partner Trudie. We flew out on Friday 13 and went into the city to register. On the Saturday we had a loosen-up 3/5mile run along the coast. 

We awoke to pouring rain on the Sunday and were soaked walking to the bus stop. All races were postponed an hour due to the weather but fortunately the rain stopped for our runs. The route consisted of a few out and back bits and a lovely run through the cobbled streets of Palma with encouraging crowd support. We all finished and then the heavens opened again whilst we collected our bags but large plastic sheets were offered for some shelter. It was a bus back to the hotel for celebratory refreshments.

On Monday we moved to Port de Polenca and had three days R&R. Sunbeds by the pool, Phil and I walked on two days, Carol and John went cycling and we all did various amounts of running along the coast. Ann was still in training for the Bamburgh Half the following Sunday. The hotel was lovely with a ‘stuff your face’ tempting buffet and wine on tap. 

The Armisteads continued their trip for a few days but the rest of us flew home on the Friday and were the last flight into LBA before the airport was shut down when a flight veered off the runway onto the grass. No one was injured but I felt very lucky to jump on a bus home with my duty free. 

I’m looking forward to next year!

Results Half Marathon

1st overall and 1st male – Rene Menzel 361 Europe, Germany – 01:09:28

1st Female – Caitlin Bradley unattached – 01:27:00

For Otley AC

John Armitstead 01:45:14

Phil Robinson – 02:10:04

Madeleine Delucchi – 02:14:56

For Wetherby Runners

Ann Foster – 01:55:09

Garry Keenan – 02:08:50

Results 9k

1st overall and 1st male – Krzysztof Szymanowski – Poland – 29:18

1st Female – Kirsten Pettersson – Denmark – 34:00

For Otley AC

Carol Armitstead 50:51

Tom Hannah – 01:06:25

For Wetherby Runners

Mark Foster – 53:56

Full results here