Interesting Races in Interesting Places: San Blas Half Marathon
 |
| Siggy T. |
The 49th Edition was held on Sunday, February 6, 2011 and I, along with fellow Flyer Alan G, participated for the first time and experienced a memorable event. The race attracts many elite runners from around the globe and is known for its raucous crowds – and they didn't disappoint, as literally hundreds of thousands lined up along the challenging course – many arriving a few days early to began partying!
With a unique 4:30 PM start time, you'll have quite a bit of idle time on your hands, as we did when we arrived at 11:30. Registration is a breeze and the event cost reasonable at $25 – you'll never have to worry about this race closing out, as many sign up on race day. An online registration option was also made available through TheSchedule.com for the first time and was a convenient alternative.
About an hour before race time, runners are transported by shuttle buses about 3 ½ miles to the starting area and throughout the ride, the horns of the buses are blaring and the crowds cheer, wildly, leaving you to wonder – am I running a race or am I being sacrificed?!
 |
| On The Bus: To the Start of the Race or The Human Sacrifice Ceremony? |
 |
| Siggy T, two new friends, and Alan G |
It wasn't surprising to find some fellow New Yorkers – for one Van Cortlandt Track Club (VCTC) runner, it marked his 10th San Blas! We met runners from Corona, Queens to Greensboro, North Carolina, and all agree – the San Blas Half Marathon is definitely worth the trip!
Siggy T.
1 comments:
Sigz is one honest and humble man. Gracias, mi amigo, for getting this up on the blog!
First of all, this race is da bomb! I have to again thank the Sigster for tipping me off and I am so glad that I was able to go (once the Jets lost to the Steelers).
Like Siggy said, the party atmosphere is fantastic. In a race of about 770 entrants (including elite runners from Africa), there were about 250-300,000 race fans lining the streets of Coamo, cheering, chanting, drinking and creating as festive an atmosphere, if not more, than almost any leg of our beloved NYCM. It is a tough, challenging and unforgiving course that Siggy (after taking a leak in the first mile...;-) dominated. Me, I just finished (but not before stopping to dunk a basketball...on a low hoop...on a driveway off the side of the course) and that was good enough for me.
My chiming in here is to simply reinforce Siggy's point that, de la sopa a los furtos secos, this race is a great experience...the team Sigz connected us with was great...Omar, the team leader, and his wife, Rosa, are two of the nicest people around (and Omar is in the Flyer pics for the NYC 1/2 wearing a Flyer singlet we gave him). We made a couple of good (n fast) friends in Carlos and Nick (1:28 and 1:27).
And Sigz made sure I saw some of the beautiful history and nature of PR. My only regret was that we did not have a few more days to spend enjoying his beautiful island.
Next year is the 50th Anniversary of the San Blas 1/2...think about putting it on your calendars (early February '12)...you will not regret it. Any preguntas, ask Siggy or me.
San Blas o el busto!!
Alan G.
Alan G.
Post a Comment