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May 10, 2024

Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona Runner Comments

Back to Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona Information & Reviews

Course 4.5

Organization 4.4

Spectators 3.9

Number of comments: 86 [displaying comments 71 to 81]

More Comments: [ < 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 > ]

J. S. from Barcelona, Catalonia (3/27/2006) "The most beautifull course in Barcelona" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Marathon Catalunya - Barcelonas COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 In 2004 I wrote: "It's possible to draw a better 42 KM flat course in Barcelona, but probably authorities don't like to close the entire city center. I didn't expect people supporting runners at 8:30 a.m., so I was really surprised." This year, the course was quite perfect, 80% in the city center and 20% in urban beaches area. That allowed supporters to follow the race by subway, and consequently increase the number of spectators cheering runners. The marathon I most enjoyed, and my personal best!
M. S. from Paris, France (3/26/2006) "Great Day for a Marathon 2006" (about: 2006) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 It was a big improvement from the past, but the organization could use some pointers. Not very organized, but the new race was spectacular and the fans were better than expected! Highly recommend.
Ruth Morley from Evian, France (4/4/2005) "Okay, but won't do it again" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 From what I could tell, those that put on the Barcelona Marathon weren't able to get permission to run it in the city in March, as usual, so they organized this alternative setting. It started in a former Olympic stadium, where a canal is for rowing, and runs through the flat countryside down to the seaside, where you run along the beach areas quite a ways (into the wind, unfortunately, but good temperatures), and then back, also going through some nice residential areas and the beachfront tourist areas. If I had never seen the Mediterranean before or such areas, it might have been more interesting to me. No cheering supporters, but I don't really need that for it to be a good experience. I was very pleasantly surprised by the reliable water stations every 5 kilometers, and there was free pasta at the finish line, even for family members. The t-shirt was nice quality, the medal 'so-so,' and the expo did its job at a big hotel in Barcelona. What I enjoyed most was the opportunity to see the wonderful buildings of Barcelona the day before. The double-decker tourist buses give you a good way to get around, with good discounts on entries to sites. I'd love to return to have time to see more. It was an 'okay' marathon, not particularly memorable, but maybe I'm getting jaded after 35 marathons, on all the continents! For another great, low-key spring marathon in Europe, see my remarks on the Cheverny (France) marathon, 2 weeks later.
F. S. from Austria (3/21/2005) "terrible track, boring, wind, no visitors" (about: 2005) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 The track is much too windy, and the long, straight distances - especially at the beach with no visitors - and headwind are real killers. It seemed to me like running on the motorway. I recommend using the beautiful sights of the area to have a spectacular and panorama-type race.
G. B. from Jersey, Channel Islands (11/26/2004) "Wonderful marathon" (about: 2004) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Superb course, particularly if you like to get into a rhythm. Flat, apart from the last mile where it undulates, with a tiring climb at the end. One part has approximately 7 miles of straight dual carriageway, broken by a few roundabouts on a broad city-center avenue. Very good road surface. Spectator support thin out in in the suburbs, but packed and enthusiastic in the last mile. Beautiful finish in an avenue with many giant water fountains. Stayed a week in Barcelona before the race. Magical city.
J. S. from Barcelona, Catalonia (4/7/2004) "My Hometown Marathon" (about: 2004) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 First marathon in my hometown. It's possible to draw a better 42 Km flat-course in Barcelona, but probably authorities don't like to close the entire city center. I didn't expect people supporting runners at 8:30 am, so I was really surprised. From Km. 20, water was available every 2.5 Km and other beverages and fruit every 5 Km.
J. D. from Connecticut, USA (3/30/2004) "Barcelona " (about: 2004) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Barcelona is an amazing city -- lunch at 2:30, dinner at 9 or 10 or later, hopping night-life, great sites, the Gothic quarter, and great food -- but smoking in the restaurants does not make for a runner friendly environment. You CAN carbo load on paella. The marathon course is flat and there is plenty of room to run. I got a PR by 13 minutes! The course does NOT go up Montjuic or Park Guell, and the course misses some of the other spectacular sites of the city (Cathedral, Sagrada Familia). The course, however, DOES finish up by Las Ramblas and by the Placa de Espana, which was very memorable, and captures the essence of the city. The expo was a little disappointing in that I wanted to get something else that said Maraton de Barcelona (jacket, cap, etc.) and nothing else was available. Other than that, it was fine. There were some crowds to cheer you on (not like NYC, of course), but, hey, at 8:30 am in this city -- I was surprised the streets weren't completely empty. All in all, I would recommend the Barcelona Marathon for the city alone. For a smaller race (3000 or so runners), I found the race positives far outweigh the negatives on this one.
Herman Van Camp from Antwerp-Belguim (3/26/2004) "Nice marathon organization" (about: 2004) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Perfect weather, conditions & organization. The track on the contrary is boring (too much out of the city) and 8:30 AM on a Sunday is too early for the people from Barcelona to be enthousiastic. I ran Rome in 2003 and this marathon can't compete with it...!
J. M. from Barcelona, Spain (3/23/2004) "Great" (about: 2004) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 It has been a wonderful marathon. Very good weather, nice sights, good organization, and good support from the people.
A Runner from Sweden (5/29/2002) "Great run!" (about: 2002) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I set a personal best here. The track was flat and with only 3000 runners there was plenty of space. Small bottles of water were handed out frequently, perfect to carry along. Not so many spectators but the ones that were out gave great support. This is a race that I will run again.

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