The Trans Gran Caneria Classic race zig-zags across the island of Gran Caneria from north to south for 126Km with approximately 7000m of ascent and descent with a 30hr cut-off. I was expecting a nice dry warm race in the sun with sea, sand and cerveza, but a sudden change in weather pattern turned it more like a bad day in the Scotland. A few hours before the start, all competitors received an email update from the organisers warning of “probable rain and mud, but above all be prepared for strong winds in the mountains and our advice is to pack long windproof trousers and you will be ok”. The online mountain forecast certainly indicated strong wind and cold temperatures at altitude, but little rain. With this in mind I packed extra kit (long sleeve base-layer, wind-proof top, hat, gloves and over-shorts), which was well beyond the mandatory list of a waterproof jacket and foil blanket. I did momentarily contemplate carrying a second spare base layer, but it my pack looked full enough so it did not go in.
It was 13 degrees with a cool breeze on the start-line on Las Canteras beach at 11pm, but once we got going it was quite comfortable running in a t-shirt, but then the rain came, light at first but then progressively heavier, so I donned my rain jacket for protection. The wind increased with altitude and the rain continued through the night with no let-up. Dusty trails turned into slippery mud-baths and in steeper places there was so little traction it was almost impossible to ascend without digging poles into the mud and/or pulling on any available foliage (that was not a cactus). Descents became tricky to control mud-slides – especially troublesome on steep corners in the dark. To retain warmth the long sleeve base-layer came on after Fontanales (checkpoint 3). Then after day-break the rain eased off on the long descent to the El Hornillo checkpoint (51Km), which made me think the warmth of the sun may not be too far away.
But my hopes were soon dashed, the rain and wind came back hard with a vengeance on the long exposed ascent to Artenara (checkpoint 5), my jacket began to wet through and I started to get very cold. At times the rain turned to sleet and. I was glad to reach shelter at Aternara (65Km), which at 1200m is the highest village in Gran Caneria. After some warm soup I re-assessed the situation: the only dry layer I had left to put on was a wind-proof top, but I really needed a dry base-layer as well. There was no sign of an improvement in the weather, and if I continued it would be 3-4 hours and a lot of exposure before I reached El Garron (checkpoint 7, at 1650m) where I had a drop bag with extra clothing. So with safety in mind I reluctantly decided to join the many others who chose to withdraw from the race at his point. On the bus to the finish we passed El Garron, beyond which the weather had cleared to warm sunshine. At least after being bussed to the finish I got there time to see my partner Eleanor finish the 43Km marathon and also meet up with Richard and Sandra.
Phil Humphries