Clásica de Lanzarote 10K Road Race

Posted: Wednesday November 26, 2008

First running event of the winter season attracted many runners from all over the world

Club La Santa proudly presented the 4th Clásica de Lanzarote, a special race within the International Running Challenge that takes place this week. Furthermore it was an excellent preparation for the Ciudad de Arrecife Marathon Lanzarote that will take place next Saturday, sponsored by CLS.

Kick-off was already on Saturday where the ‘normal’ morning run was transformed into a breakfast run. After a loop around the lagoon (approximately 3-4K), every runner could regain its strength with fruits, yoghurt, donuts or croissants whilst having a nice little chat amongst runners. Event Race Manager Kenneth Gasque invited all participants sincerely to register for the Clásica de Lanzarote or the whole Running Challenge on Saturday afternoon in the Conference Center. And so, lots of enthusiastic runners followed his invitation and registered for at least one race. From 1 pm to 6 pm, the Conference Center was crowed with people and the organization team was very busy in doing the whole registration. There, every runner got its number, information leaflets, an event race t-shirt of the Clásica and one finisher-shirt of the Running Challenge received additionally a little goodies bag (sponsored by SIS) with power gel and bar, sachet and a bottle.

Sunday morning was finally the big day! Race start was punctually at 10 o’clock. Thanks to the well-signed course maps of each single race nobody could get lost on the course. Furthermore both, the first runners, mal and female, were accompanied by two Green team biker. After Kenneth explained the whole course once again, the famous and successful Lanzarote runner José Hernández Cabrera could give the starting signal for the 332 runners.

Michael Jeppsen (DEN) passed the finishing line at first in 32:33. His countryman Jonas Brandsbjerg became second in 33:08, closely followed by Ronan Kearns (IRL) who finished just 4 seconds behind him.

Tracey Ranson (GBR) was the first woman in an excellent time of 37:48. The second and third places were quite close to each other. Second Anna Critchlow (GBR) was with 38:03 just 6 seconds in front of number 3 Camilla Spangner (DEN) from the Danish Running Club Sparta.

The award ceremony took place straightly after the last runner passed the finishing line. Beside the awards for the first three male and female runners, there were also two special awards. Christian Baker, 10 years old, won the trophy for being the youngest participant. He was very proud to stand on the podium, especially because it was his first 10K race ever! He ran with Simon, a friend of his dad, whilst his mother Sally was running at the front and became sixth women. “I tried to run under 1 hour and I did it. I passed the finishing line after 56:55,” he said. By the way, his only preparation was a two-loop-run around the lagoon! The other special award went to Klaus Ursin, a blind athlete who has participated in so many (running) events of Club La Santa and even in the Ironman, a very special and extraordinary athlete.

Today was the next of the International Running Challenge, the 13K Ridge Run, around one of the big volcanoes nearby Club La Santa. See separate article for race story, photos and results.

Click here to check all the challenge results Club La Santa
We wish all runners good luck for the following races!