Race Report by Cara Hanson

Race Date: Sunday 19^th October 2025

When I was invited on a trip with fellow Steel  City Striders to the Palma Half Marathon (there’s also a 10k) it was the full version that piqued my interest. It had been four years since my last one and having spent the last three years doing various ultras I thought it would be fun to do a marathon again so I signed up. (Editor: surely fun and marathon in the same sentence is an oxymoron).

I soon realised that the thought of running a marathon was quite scary as it comes along with the pressure to get a ‘time’. The marathon would consist of two laps of the half marathon with the first 12km (ish) flat out and backs along the sea front, then the last 9km undulating through the town. I kept changing my mind with ‘marathon pace’ initially thinking I’d go for 3:40 but decided that it would be too hot for that sort of nonsense.

Being in Palma on Friday and Saturday confirmed that it would indeed be too hot, especially so on the second lap. The race started at 8.15 alongside the half marathon. After long queues at the wardrobe (bag drop) and toilets then some team photos I placed myself in the middle of the pack somewhere. I finally decided to set off at sub 4 hour pace and see what happened. The first 5km were really congested so there was a lot of weaving in and out to hit the pace and it was feeling warm already. The plan was to walk through all the aid stations, six on each lap offering water, isotonic drinks, fruit, gels (on some) and sponges, to make sure that I hydrated properly.

It was fun to see various other Steel City on the out and backs, most of whom were doing the half with only myself and Brian daft enough to do the full. The first lap remained crowded but going through the city was really cool with lots of live music and the highlight being a band formed of young schoolboys playing rock music. There was plenty to look at, the city is beautiful with a lot of time spent looking up but remaining cautious not to trip on the many cobbles or slide over on the wet ground at the aid stations. Most of the town was in the shade which was welcome.

Next came the divide with the half marathon going off to the left to finish whilst we went off to the right. This is where I started to question why did I choose to do this? Back on the seafront the temperature had risen and the sun was blazing down with people already struggling and stopping. Suddenly I felt lonely but plodded on. Around 29km we passed the start/finish area where my Steel City friends were cheering me on with high fives. Thank you for this guys and thank you too for the photos. After this it got hard. I was too hot and felt a little light headed so I slowed a little. The fact that I got to walk at the aid stations kept me going mentally and also helped me to keep strong physically. I had a banana at the next one but it had obviously been in the sun too long as it was mushy and disgusting. Luckily I had some fizzy water melons with me to get rid of the taste.

My feet were burning, I was “never doing a marathon again”, “two laps are just not necessary” but It was a relief to go back into the town and the shade. The support in town was excellent with lots of people shouting my name. The last 9km went by quite fast, even though I was slower on the uphills but, without the congestion, I was faster on the downhills. Seeing and hearing the Steel City support crew again at the finish was amazing. Thanks again guys but next time I’ll be joining you on the half.

Overall this was a brilliant weekend away with Steel City in a beautiful city.

First were Thomas Khulemann 2:31:47 and Rebecca Rubbisch 2:46:20 (both Germany).