Saturday 16th November – Wednesday 27th November 2024

So, our chilled days in Benalmadena were transformed into a whirl of running, walking, eating, drinking, partying and a whole load of green, as day by day more and more of our wonderful MK Redway Runners arrived in sunny Torreblanca.

Martin, Karen, Bernie and Kate were the first to arrive and of course Annie, Steve and I were already here, so we were officially the advance party. The 9.30am morning runs in Torreblanca commenced always followed by coffee and chat, we got the routine underway. But of course the evening frivolities kicked off too. And in true first night of the holiday together style, we got stuck into drinks on the Torreblanca terrace. Martin and Karen had kindly squirrelled some of the Redway Runners’ celebratory cake into their hand luggage for us all to share, such a kind thought. This was to celebrate the club recently receiving the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service. After the great catch up and celebration drinks we headed out to eat and, as you do, more alcohol was consumed. This may or may not have contributed to the ‘interesting’ train ride home, when (1) certain members of the party missed their stops, (2) Steve and Martin got their hands stuck in the train door as they tried to unsuccessfully keep the doors open and (3) we ended up at a bunch of different stations! Lots of nervous hysterical laughter took place but we eventually managed to reunite all parties and all was well.

Over the next few days, more and more of more of our lovely friends arrived. Walking along the strip from Torreblanca to Fuengirola was like being in Milton Keynes … you found yourself stopping every five minutes to chat. The morning runs grew larger – the town didn’t know what hit it … it was just our training runs but I think the locals thought there was an event on each day – there were approximately 65 of us in total. Each evening we would meet in Fibbers Irish Bar for a beer or two (large enough to accommodate us all) and then branch off into different parties to find restaurants to eat – so much choice. Our evening dining this week consisted of:

Thursday 21st – we took train to Fuengirola with Annie, David, Jackie, Colin and Ali – tapas meal in old town followed by drinks in the Panda Bar

Friday 22nd – ate in Fibbers Bar as late back from collecting race packs,

Saturday 23rd – Simon, Michaela, Fiona, Jackie, David and us – tapas in Tanit restaurant

Sunday 24th – after race day – Indi Mex – accommodated 60 of us … quite incredible but a tad slow, understandably. A great club evening with speeches and bar mat awards.

Monday 25th – after a daytime trip out to Benalmadena Pueblo … a quiet evening pizza in our local – Lorenzo’s, Torremuelle.

Tuesday 26th – Santorini – a wonderful greek restaurant with Sheila, John, Sarah and Steve + us

On Saturday we had a club walk from Benalmadena to Montemar – a leisurely stroll with a huge amount of chitter chatter. Fabulous to see the Paloma gardens and the Marina in its full splendour.

Sunday was race day – the Benalmadena Half Marathon with 10k and 5k races too. Whichever race you had entered, we were all so proud to be there as the Redway Runners club and wore our ‘green’ shirts proudly. Our club colour has had to change to a brighter shade recently as we were no longer able to acquire material of the original shade. Now we know why – Benalmadena Half Marathon shirts were that exact shade of green … they’d clearly pinched all the available fabric. So, whilst we normally stand out in a crowd, this time we well and truly blended in. A sea of green.

To say it was hot and to say it was hilly honestly is no exaggeration … everybody agreed it was tough. But we all made it and were a large presence in cheering every one of our runners in. A fantastic effort, especially our soon to be Octogenerian Bernie, who completed this arduous Half Marathon in great style – our super hero!

And we swept up on awards … Chrissie, Kate and Bridget for 5k winners in their age category and Karen, Glenis and Ruth for Half Marathon winners in their age category. All girls!!… just saying!!!

To cap it all off nicely, we won the award for largest running club attendance … we’re all about awards these days. This was celebrated with great cheers, beers and some dodgy dad dancing!!

The celebrations reconvened later in the evening when all 60 of us gathered for an Indi Mex meal and beer mat award ceremony for funny trip stories (what happens on tour stays on tour)!! But Steve got one for his dodgy Strava recording of his first run here which showed him not only running a 5 minute mile but running on water too!!

Then on Monday (not too early a start) we had offered to show whoever fancied it, how to get up to the Benalmadena Pueblo (a white village) by public transport (it’s at the top of a humungous hill) and a walk back down. When we met at the station we were expecting up to 20 … but 36 keen RR travellers had rolled up for the expedition. So the bus was a tad busy, friendly as we like to say. Luckily we got on at the very first stop so we all did get on although half were standing – then as the journey continued and more and more passengers boarded we were squeezed tighter. But it was an adventure and I think everyone enjoyed their few hours in the Pueblo, visiting the shops and restaurants and enjoying the views, before the mega steep walk down hill. It was magical to be able to share what is a special place for us with those that had not been before.

Over the next few days our running friends gradually returned to the UK … but there were a few ‘last nights’ to enjoy. We’re back to the original advance party now but Steve and I are trying to spend some quieter time to finish off our Spanish vacation. Let’s see!

And before Benalmadena/Torreblanca/Fuengirola turned green we had another little celebration – the milestone of me becoming an Old Age Pensioner. It was strange not being with Tom and Alice but I had lots of phone calls and messages from family and friends and felt thoroughly spoilt. Steve treated me to an afternoon/evening in Malaga, including lunch, a wine-tasting, walk around the sites of the City and a wonderful steak dinner in another favourite restaurant of ours – El Pimpi. Brilliant day. And when I get back home my bus pass should be waiting for me and my first OAP payment is in early December – so exciting!

An incredible 12 days – so blessed to have sunshine and friends. In the words of Barbara Streisand and ‘A Star is Born’ … we are “Ageless and Evergreen.”