Race Report: Menorca October Trail 19k

After Ju and I had booked a holiday on Menorca I had a quick search for running races on the island. I'd done a 5k race around the port in Ibiza on a previous holiday and really enjoyed it. This time I came across a series of point-to-point trail races on Menorca. The three distances (11k, 19k and 32k) all follow a stretch of the island's Camí de Cavalls coastal path. I opted for the 19k, thinking it would be fairly easy (which it wasn't!).

Entry was all done online. In France you need a medical certificate to take part in organised races, but not Spain. All I needed was to fill in a form and pay. Entry wasn't cheap, about €55, but it's cheaper the earlier you enter. It also included a bus transfer at the start, T shirt, medal (wooden), two stocked aid stations, two nights of partying/DJ/fireworks/horse show etc, drinks and pizza at the end and an included meal and beer Saturday evening. Instructions were sent out in both Spanish and English. The races took place Saturday morning, and bib collection was scheduled for Friday evening. We were staying about an hour from the race village, but had a hire car so could easily get there on the two occasions.

The event was very well organised. Several start times were arranged to spread out the 1700 runners on the trail. Mine started at 9:30am, and a series of coaches took us across the island to the start. We'd been asked to carry at least 500ml of water, a foil blanket and fully charged phone and (if the weather is bad) they ask you to take a waterproof coat. Checks were kinda carried out, although most of us just walked straight past. The trail is way-marked with posts, but additional cones were in place at tricky spots. The GPX was available for download onto your phone or watch. I'm rubbish at navigation and it wasn't an issue, even for me.

The coach I was on appeared to be full of lean folks in their 20s who looked like they'd be gliding over the rocks since they were knee high to a grasshopper. I'd spent the past couple of years running on tarmac, and a single attempt to try out the trail before the race had seen me skinning a knee. With a bit of a hamstring issue, I made sure I stayed at the back of the pack at the start! There was a second start to the 19k run later in the day for slower runners who'd be doing less than 8 min mile pace, which I really should have used!

The trail itself is magnificent. It runs either directly alongside the turquoise sea, or under Aleppo pines or across sandy beaches. It's a stunning route, with no big climbs or descents on the 11k or 19k versions. It's very rocky though, almost relentless uneven ground which both caught me out early on (see below) and wore me out later on. It was about 22 degrees and full sun too, so quite warm.

As the race started quite early, some of the rock was still damp from the morning mist. I went sideways on a slab of smooth rock just a couple of miles in, and cracked my elbow. It proceeded to swell up to comedy proportions, resembling a golf ball after a couple of further miles (olecranon bursitis apparently). It wasn't painful and being in the middle of nowhere it wasn't really an option to pull out, so I took it steady and completed the run. Freaked me out though, I'd no idea what I'd done to myself!

The leader of the 19k race (it was won running at 6 min mile pace, which is incredible to me over that terrain)

Me about an hour later! As you can see, my right elbow looks like it's been created by AI

The finish was very cool, like something at an Ironman event. A carpeted funnel up to an elevated ramp under a gantry with photographers and automated video equipment at the other end. A bloke shook hands with each finisher while announcing our names. Very nice. The staff were all excellent in the race village dishing out food and drink and helping get my elbow and leg cleaned and bandaged. I'd seen another runner on the floor with a gashed leg out on the course. There were others in the medical tent too, not surprising as it really was tricky to stay upright.

Scoffing pizza while waiting to get cleaned up in the first aid tent

I'd definitely do an event like this again. It feels great to be a part of a big community race, either in the UK or abroad. Next time I'd take a trail race more seriously though. My trail shoes were about worn out so lacked some grip (they went in the bin afterwards). I wasn't confident my hamstring issue was healed and I'd had almost no practice at trail running beforehand. Not great preparation for what turned out to be quite a challenging course. I'd also carry a GHIC (NHS-issued treatment card) with me just in case I ended up needing hospital treatment.

As usual a huge thanks to Ju for all the support, getting me in the right place at the right time and helping translate in the medical tent among many other things. Cheers, Jay