It was just a marathon, and I am only saying that as there was a 280KM, 128KM and 65KM option. And it was all downhill. The problem being that it was down the side of a mountain. It was a HUGE descent that started high in the mountains. You were zigzagging single file down a rock path on the edge of a mountain, sheer cliff on the other. Poles are a must for me as it was foggy at the start of the day and the rocks are slippery. Within a few hundred yards of the start a woman was screaming from breaking her ankle at the first stream. That woke me up.

Looking back it was incredibly hard going. A path? You prayed for a flat paved path. And you would go for hours without one. Down a mountain and across a valley floor then up the next mountain, around it, then down into the valley.

The sun was unforgiving. It baked you, and there was no cloud cover to protect you. The three checkpoints were unique. One in an ancient church. One by a dam. The final one at the aquaduct. They had huge vats of steaming paella at the first two, cheese, cheese and ham, and coke, lots of coke. I used this to get through. I skipped the paella. At the third checkpoint they had roast chicken, boiled potatoes, and cans of beer. I had the beer and potatoes.

It was an epic race through the moutains unlike anything I have really done before. It had aspects of Ultraks, but in a baked island setting. I would recommend it. I would also consider going back, although I still have nightmares of the 8KM riverbed that leads you out of the valley and into town. 

I booked to do the marathon and arrived at expo to collect race bib etc. Very easy and lots to see at expo. Friendly people apart from not really understanding English. Race was delayed by one day and the email only came thru late the night before the race. New race day was earlier start. There was a slightly chaotic scramble for coaches. Our coach broke down and needed to wait for replacement. Arrived at the start and despite no directions or marshalls we quickly followed everyone else. The race start was smooth yet slightly busy with people jostling to get past. The ground was soft at the start which allowed faster runners to past safely. Within 10 minutes the terrain changed to slippery rocks and slate. The course was well signposted but it may have been safer to have had Marshalls at the early stages until people acclimatised to the terrain and sudden change in gradient. There were times when you were less than a foot away from cliff edge. The checkpoints were well positioned and spaced apart and were very well stocked with hot and cold food and a huge variety of drinks. The marshalls would come and fill flasks and bladders for you while you did other tasks, which was a nice touch. Other runners were really supportive despite varying language barriers. You felt very inclusive in a very technical race. The final checkpoint I suspect was more for checking timing chips as it was only 4km from finish, However it still provided hot food. The final 2/3 miles were hard and rather boring running along the dry sink basin which was all very ghetto, but I expect was a means to an end to have the grand finish outside the expo centre to big fanfare and crowds. You collected your medal and an assortment of goodies I wasn't expecting and joined the crowds on the grass to watch others come thru.  My only criticism would be the lack of assistance in English. I only discovered the day before the race that bag drop closes st 8pm that evening rather than on the morning of the race. Luckily it was fine as I was staying close by.  I'm not put off as I'm already planning a return trip next year with a longer race distance 

The Trans Gran Canaria 125km 2018 luckily managed to sneak inbetween a series of storms that ravaged the Canary Islands at the end of February. I'd spent a large part of the winter dreaming of hitting up the trails in the sun though the weather on race day was similiar to Wales with low cloud & general greyness. The 11pm start time was particularly challenging & I'll admit my morale hit an all time low until the sun thankfully crept over the horizon. Luckily Ben aka super star support team was on hand appearing by the side of remote mountain trails with inappropriate tunes (think Flo Rida "Do you wanna blow my whistle").  

The course definitely favours mountain goats with a passion for descents as the later third is predominately downhill. Feel your quads burn! The last section (from the 22km point) through the Devil's Trail (think stony river bed surrounded by gigantic reeds) is another cheeky sting in the tail. I was SO pleased to limp across the finish line in Maspolomas. 

Swopping race stories & celebrating over tapas & bubbles at one of the local restaurants somehow made the sore muscles, lost toe nails & battling temperatures from 8 to 30 degrees bearable! 

TGC is a tough course placed at the beginning of the ultra season. 

Not sure what this race did, but I went from 7 min miles to 8 - 9 and still not got it back... but oh boy what a race and what demons to face.

As mentioned in another review the last downhill is down a dryed up river bed.  I have never been slow close to just sitting down and waiting for an EVAC, every step was ankle twisting pain after some 50 odd very hilly miles. but hey I got there only just.

I only did the advance race which is the double marathon event, the 125 adds another marathon in the for the hell of it.

The landscape is amazing and although the race is expensive you will not forget the views and sites and the pain.

at one stage you turn a corner from the colder damper northern section of the island and boom the dryer warmer section of the island lies infront of you.  Amazing stuff. I just look at the hills and go OMG.

Number pick up is right next too the finsh, just make sure you have toliet brake before the 3am bus too the start.. emergency bottle needed to be used.

The guys and girls on the feed stations are amazing at watch you like hawks for any issues you may not think you are having.

The second to last service station I just zoned out in my head, next thing I know the helpers are all over me handing out warm food and drink and placing extra layers on me and chatting to get me back in the zone.  without these guys I might not have set off from that station. Kudos to them.They very last station after the hell of the last downhill have beer, which I grabbed and around midnight along with some Dutch guy we dragged ourselfes over the line.

I remember getting back too my hire car then waking up about 4 hours still in the said car as the sun rose on a new day.

Them airport stairs though. :D

I love this race! It is such a beautiful place to run and the race is very well organised and supported also being only 4hrs flight from London and around 27 degrees it's a winner for me.

The number pick up is easy and is where the race finishes in Maspolamas, I would highly recommend staying in this area because you want to be near the finish. 

The race itself Is well marked and the aid stations are well stocked. There are some very technical sections to this race but the scenery makes it more then worth it. They do a kit check at Garanon and you can get hot food there too. This year they changed the end of the race which I prefer even though it now includes a nasty river bed at the end it is a much more beautiful end to the race.

They also have beer at the end if you can stomach it!