The Mad Dash Just Got Madder

San Silvestre

(“Fresh from the fight” so to speak, I just ran in the door
from the San Silvestre race. Gloves
still on and fingers numb – not to mention really low blood sugar – I will attempt to be coherent.)

New Year’s always feels like a mad dash for the finish
line. For some this means hurriedly
closing clients’ accounts, for others it means manic social schedules, and for
still others it means…well, a mad dash for the finish line. Honestly, some people are so literal!

Yes, 25,000 Madrileños spent this final day of 2007 running
at top speed from Santa Bernabeu to Vallecas, an annual race called San
Silvestre (Saint Wild). This 10 km
course comes with some grueling hills – the kind that rise gradually making you
feel like you have a Cadillac in tow.

If you are thinking, “Only the mad would participate in such
a punishing ‘celebration’”, you’re right – that’s the point. And this particular mad dash gets madder
every year. Participants come clad as prison
escapees, hula girls, Native American Indians, and, of course, drag queens
(without the heels – even drag queens aren’t that crazy). The whole event kind of looks like Halloween
in fast motion.

The festivities draw Spanish in great numbers to ogle the
blood, sweat and glamour, the distinctive cocktail that defines the event. The entire route is lined with supporters
clapping and yelling or sporting sign for loved ones. It was extremely appreciated even if I shot
of few of you evil looks on that hellish hill.
Sorry, I was really suffering.

The end is a cathartic culmination of months of training (or
fabulous costume planning), leaving 25,000 Madrileños feeling like they have
truly deserved the cava (Spanish champagne) awaiting them.

The good news for me was that my time qualifies me to run in
the professional race next year – OK, the women’s professional race, not the men’s!  My times weren’t THAT good.  But hey, who knows, maybe sexual reassignment surgery is my fate in 2008 – crazier things have happened. Anyway, gotta go, cava awaits.

Best New Year’s wishes

Discuss MAP articles in our FORUM!