On Saturday 23rd October 2022 I took part in the Minichamizo race in Villanueva del Rosario, in Spain north of Malaga. The race is 12.5km long with 600m of ascent and descent.
At 8.55am around 80 of us gathered on the start line getting ready to run. There was also another race of 23km starting at the same time. We then got the countdown cinco, cuatro, tres, dos, uno… and we were off. We started by running through the village streets which were hardly wide enough to fit a car down. As we left the village we were dawned with the first uphill, many people started to walk but I kept running, weaving between people who were walking. We then came to our first meeting of the helpers who were directing us to go up the hill to the right and they were cheering us on. The up continued and the path began to get narrower making it harder to overtake, I began to walk – but speed walk or as fast as my little legs would go. The up just kept on going and we were soon heading up a hillside with a gently sloping drop, and people would say ‘passe’ if they would like to get past. Eventually I got to the top of the hill after many false summits. The descent was just as steep as the ascent and I struggled to run fast down it as it was stoney and dusty underfoot. After 7km there was an aid station offering water, I didn’t understand what they were saying at first as they were speaking in Spanish. The descent then became more gradual so I was able to run more. The village then came into view and it looked as though we were heading towards it, which was great, until you came round the corner and the path began to head up again, my legs were a little sore after the steep up and down so my jog was slowish. I then recognised where we were and before I knew it I was coming down the last hill and then there I was running through the village, round the corner and there were the final hundred meters, I could see the finish. I crossed the line after 1hr 50mins 12secs! I got a medal put round my neck and a man began to speak to me in Spanish and I just looked at him and said ‘English?’ He began to interview me as I was 1st in my category. I then went over to get my name crossed off to say that I had finished and I got a free hoodie.
The prize ceremony happens at 12 o’clock as that was the cut off time and I got a trophy and a bottle of olive oil!!! I also found out later in the day that I was 3rd female overall. I was very happy with myself.
The X11 Chamizo trail race series had multiple running races on the same day: 12.5km, 23km, 42m, 60km and 100km. It wasn’t as popular as the UTMB races but there were still a fair amount of people in each race and a high percentage of people finished. My route was well marked with tape so I knew the way although at points where there was a junction it was hard to spot the tape as sometimes it was hiding behind a branch but other than that they were very supported and it was very well organised.
My mum, Nicola and my auntie, Michaela also took part in the same race. Meanwhile my dad was busy running the 100km version and he ended up coming 1st vet 50. What a great end to a superb holiday in Spain.
Link to race:
https://www.dorsalchip.es/carrera/2022/10/22/VII_CxM_CHAMIZO_TRAIL_2022.aspx
Rachael Nash