From Diane Kitchen…

So…I am going on a climbing holiday to Asturias and wonder if there might be a little race I could do while I am there.

Some friends send me a link to the local races and the nearest is cancelled but there is another one … a new event, ‘Cueva Negra Trail Fest’. There is a short course of 13K with some 600m of climbing! It is advertised as a trail race so I imagine it’s a bit like a PECO and pack my trail shoes. I am nervous about getting lost though, so when we get to Santander we drive to the village where the event is taking place and see a poster in a bar. The landlady gives me the phone number of one of the organisers, so I give him a call. ‘Ánimo’ says Juan. ‘No you won’t get lost and you will get free beer and paella at the end, but there are only 5 places left so if you want to enter do it now!’ We order another coffee and enter – me in the short course and Andy in the walk. Perfect!

What a fantastic event. There was something for everyone; a long course, a short course, a walk, a children’s race and a ‘race for all’.

I am no fell runner and ran in a long-sleeved T shirt (unheard of for me as you all know). I carried a full change of kit (as per the last minute instructions that came the night before) because storms were forecast. However, when I looked around at the runners on the start line I soon realised that I had far too much stuff in my bum bag. What I didn’t have were poles though! Hummmm would they really be necessary? I was really nervous and terrified of getting lost despite Juan’s assurances. The route took us over three huge peaks with spectacular views of the Picos de Europa and the sea below. It was so tough though! I thought I would never get to the drink station at 4.7k but finally it came into view. Wow! What a healthy feeding station – water, chocolate, sliced oranges, apples, strawberries and nuts! Amazing.

Next up was another peak followed by a steep downhill and another peak with a steadier descent and finally an oak forest and a wonderful riverside path which took us through four or maybe five river crossings! I lost count. I was delirious. Andy’s walking route coincided with the short course on two occasions and he had managed to explain in his best Spanish that his wife was running so that when I went by there was a huge cheer. ‘Ánimo, campeóna, brava!’ It felt a bit like the Chevin Chase all over again with cow bells ringing out and plenty of applause. The finishing funnel was just as good as the first drink station with fruit and nuts, as well as tortilla, empanada, kikos and nutella sandwiches. Maravilloso! Maravilloso! I finished in 2 hours 13 minutes. The race was won in 1 hour 8 minutes. Obviously he had poles! 300 entered and 272 finished.

Back to race HQ where I collected my goody-bag – socks with the race name on them! Hurray what an ingenious momento. There was also a bottle of the local cider, cake and a jar of honey. Muchas gracias!

While we waited for the beer and paella, we watched the prize giving. Suddenly I heard my name! I had come 2nd FV55. How did that happen? Más sidra, un sombrero, chorizo y, queso. Muchísimas gracias.

A fantastic event. Paella y cerveza deliciosas. It was really friendly with a terrific post-race atmosphere and I would definitely recommend it. Maybe we should have a club trip next year? Full details here.