Notes
Ribera Run on our 40th anniversary from Penafiel, Spain, where we stayed at the Hotel Pesquera. This was just an amazing event, starting at the Pinta archaeological site in Padilla de Duero, and going 43 k (we likely did 46 or 47...) through the region, 7 wonderful winery stops, everything from empanadas to cheeses to chorizo and ham on the course, incredible finish line with more wine and mountains of paella on a 10 foot pan being cooked over a wood fire. So many gorgeous sites on this course, but it also was pretty hard given the heat (61 - 78, full sun) and hills and running through rocky vineyards, sandy pine country, hard roads, tricky along the river, and then, I mean and then, at the very end, we actually had to clamber up to the top of Peñafiel castle and back. This was so treacherous that we actually bailed and took the road up the last section and all of down. All in all, this is a bucket list race for those who love running, trails, culture, wine, and uncertainty - one needs to love all of these in this race! Happy anniversary to me and Kathleen :)