If there is one route that became essential during my marathon training, it is Avenida Marítima in my city. Across nine Sunday long runs I have covered more than 200 kilometres, with another 50 still to come before the big day, so I think I am beginning to know every paving slab along the promenade.
A flat waterfront route
The route is very flat, except around La Laja Beach, where there are a few short rises and a proper climb up to the car parks at the far end of the beach.
From the bus station to San Cristóbal
I normally start the route beside the Estación de Guaguas—the local name for the bus station—and head towards the fishing neighbourhood of San Cristóbal. This section is quite comfortable and the wind is rarely a problem; most of the time it is in your favour.
Being at the start of the long run and running beside the sea lets you enjoy the views. That becomes rather more difficult when your strength begins to fade and you almost stop caring where you are running.
Turning at La Laja and running into the wind
Once past La Laja Beach, we turn around and retrace our steps towards the port. This is the hardest part of the route because it is generally run into a headwind, exactly in the direction shown by the flag in the following photograph. That troublesome flag is no longer there and was due to be replaced by small wind turbines; anyone who is not from here will be unaware of the controversy caused by that piece of cloth.
Las Alcaravaneras and the port
After passing Las Alcaravaneras Beach, I usually turn around at the cruise terminal, already inside the port area.
After that, I change direction once more, adjusting the distance so that my final stride lands beside Muelle Deportivo. This leaves me next to Parque Romano, where I usually stretch.
Why it works for long runs
All in all, this is a training route that lets you clear your mind and run comfortably. You do need to watch out for the street furniture and the cycle lane: sometimes you switch off a little too much and end up hanging from a litter bin. It has happened to me.
The worst part is undoubtedly the hard surface, typical of waterfront promenades like this, but I think that is a small price to pay for enjoying the route—provided that you do not try to do every training session on it.
The complete route is 22.5 kilometres if you finish in the same part of Avenida Marítima where you started—11.2 kilometres in each direction—which makes it an ideal distance for a long run. I think I still have many strides left to run on this route.
PS: The photographs reached me by email and, despite trying, I have been unable to identify their author. I will add a credit as soon as I discover where they came from.
Originally published in Spanish on 31 March 2010. Read the original article. English translation prepared on 7 September 2026.
Comments
Post a Comment