EVENT SUMMARY Explore one of the world s most vibrant cities like never before. Located in the heart of Spain lies the Catalan city of Barcelona. Famous for its art, culture, fine cuisine and now its marathon, here s your chance to finally prove yourself to all those non-believers out there that you can not only run 26.2 miles, but you will have a jolly good time doing it too. Whether you are relaxing on the beach sipping sangria, absorbing the culture at Sagrada Familia or partying on the water front with the locals, the Barcelona marathon is a top event for anyone s bucket list. FACTS & FIGURES Event: Barcelona Marathon Date: 14 th -17 th March 2014 Distance: 26.2 Miles Minimum Age: 18 COSTS Registration Fee: 95.00 Fundraising Target: 995.00 Your Fundraising Target is due on the 17 th January 2014
TRIP ITINERARY FRIDAY 14 TH MARCH Depart the UK in the morning to arrive in the Catalan capital at midday. You will be met by a Choose a Challenge representative at the hotel in Barcelona. After an arrival briefing and staff introductions, Friday is free for you to explore the city. If you have any last minute shopping, be sure to drop by Las Ramblas to pick up any extra supplies before indulging in one of Barcelona s famous paella s over sunset. There are plenty of shops to provide energy bars & gels and other running accessories - simply ask your Choose a Challenge rep to point you in the right direction. A gentle jog for your final preparation is recommended today but don t overdo it we can t have you injuring yourself before the big day. SATURDAY 15 TH MARCH Today is free for you to explore Gaudi s fascinating architecture, indulge in Adrià s culinary feats or wander down mysterious medieval alleyways. If you re a football fan be sure to check out Camp Nou. The stadium itself is phenomenal you get the opportunity to tour through the luxurious changing rooms Lionel Messi and his team mates have towel whipping sessions in. The museum itself is captivating with interactive videos showcasing the history of Barcelona football club, and you can even get yourself a cheesy photo boasting the Champions League trophy! Everyone will gather in the evening for our pre-race pasta meal in preparation for the 26.2 miles ahead. An opportunity to meet the fellow runners and exchange knowledge, stories and good banter. Following dinner we will make our way to the marathon briefing where we will receive our official Marató Barcelona t-shirts, running chip and other goodies. Breakfast and dinner included
TRIP ITINERARY SUNDAY 16 TH MARCH - RACE DAY! Up early to indulge in a hearty breakfast and a protein shake today s the big one. We will leave the hotel early to ensure we are present, registered and ready to run for an 8.30am start. One of the fastest marathon races, Marató Barcelona offers an attractive itinerary through the city. Beginning at Plaça d Espanya and the magical fountains, you will be sent off along with 15,000 other runners from an electric atmosphere and thousands of enthusiastic supporters. Plenty of refreshment stations every 5km, you will also be provided with isotonic drinks, sponges and fruit. You will feel the buzz through the city as the sun gradually warms and you hear the roars from the crowds and other lycra clad runners round every corner. Keep your eyes peeled for interesting performances along the way in this fiesta atmosphere and enjoy every step you take round this 26.2 mile route. Freshen up by jumping in one of the chilling fountains to help muscle recovery and get ready for a night of celebrations. Barcelona kicks off when the sun goes down! Ensure you stretch thoroughly or you ll regret it tomorrow. MONDAY 17 TH MARCH Breakfast included Today you will be able to enjoy a well-deserved lie in after running the wonderful Barcelona marathon. This will be your final day to relax, shop and bask in the glory of this magnificent city. Your Choose a Challenge rep will meet you back at the hotel to collect your bags ensure you get back to the airport before flying back to the UK. Breakfast included
BARCELONA IN 72 HOURS You might be in Barcelona to run a gruelling 26.2 mile race but hey, Barcelona is one of the world s great cities! Whilst you re here why not ADMIRE LA SAGRADA FAMILIA Hop on the metro for a truly mind blowing experience of Antoni Gaudi s vision and masterpiece. Under construction since 1882, this iconic landmark is still being built! It s possible to climb to the top of the towers for stunning views over the cityscape below. SPEND THE EVENING AT THE MAGIC FOUNTAINS Visit the Font Magica (Metro stop - Plaça Espanya) to see a spectacular display of colour, light, motion, music and water acrobatics. A huge must-see when you get to Barcelona! Be sure to check display times before heading over! GET LOST IN THE GOTHIC QUARTER After your Sangria and Tapas on Las Ramblas, wander off this busy pathway and you ll find yourself lost in the Barri Gòtic, or Gothic Quarter. This is the old city centre with its narrow alley ways and medieval architecture houses some of the best bars and tapas restaurants in the City. VISIT THE CAMP NOU A short metro ride away, the world s most famous football stadium runs daily tours for visitors keen to get a feel for what it must be like to play in front of nearly 100,000 fans. CHILL ON THE BEACH At the foot of Las Ramblas, this stretch of golden sand along Barcelona s sea-front teems with locals and tourists alike and is a great place to rest weary limbs and soak up a little sun. There are also plenty of bars and restaurants for those looking for refreshments with a sea view.
YOUR QUESTIONS... What s included in the trip? Please refer to the trip itinerary for specific inclusions and exclusions. What s not included in the cost of the trip? The following are not included in your challenge and will be at your own expense: tips and gratuity for the local support staff, personal travel insurance, items of a personal nature including souvenirs and telephone calls, any additional meals and activities not mentioned in the itinerary, country visa, travel to and from UK meeting points. How much do I have to fundraise to take part? The fundraising target for each event varies. Please refer to the itinerary for further fundraising details. How much of the amount I fundraise goes to the charity? The cost varies between each event. We can guarantee that at least 50% of the minimum fundraising target will always be donated directly to the charity. Whilst the cost will remain the same, some charities increase their fundraising target in which case on occasions well over 60% will be donated directly to the charity. How big is the group? The group size may vary, but you ll be part of a team of at least 20 runners taking part with Choose a Challenge. What is the accommodation like? All accommodation will be in good quality 2-3 hotels. We have a good relationship with our suppliers who offer safe, secure and comfortable accommodation suitable for large groups. Rooms will be used on a twin/triple sharing basis unless otherwise stated. Do I need a Visa to take part? If you are a British National holding a British Passport, you do not need a visa to travel to Europe, however you do need to ensure you are carrying your passport with you. If you are a non-british National, please contact the relevant country embassy to enquire whether you will need a visa to travel. Additionally, visit http://www.contiki.com/contikipedia/articles/visas-travelling-to-europe for information on all visa entry requirements. Do I need special running equipment? Before taking part in the race, it is advised to seek advice from a specialist running shop. Each individual has a slightly different running technique, from transition to toe-off. Many Running shops offer a one-to-one service to analyse your running gait and find the most suitable shoes for you. Spandex and micro-polyester clothes are recommended for running as they absorb the sweat quickly, however this is dependent on your own running preferences. How much would you recommend as spending money? You will not need a significant amount of spending money since some of your meals and event activities are covered in the cost of the event. We suggest you bring a cash card capable of withdrawing money abroad (check with your bank about charges). You will only need money for additional food & drinks, gifts & souvenirs and any extra activities you wish to partake in. 125-150 should be sufficient.
What if I can t complete the marathon? If you injure yourself along the way or simply cannot finish the race, be sure to pull yourself off to the side as to not get in another runners way. If you can, take public transport to the agreed meeting point after the finish line. Alternatively make your way back to the hotel and inform us by text to let us know you are safe. What if I get injured whilst I m running? Medical experts are available throughout the course. Whether your hamstrings begin to cramp and you need a hand stretching, or you seriously injure yourself en route, paramedics and ambulances will be nearby. When should I start thinking about training? Whether you are already relatively fit or starting from scratch, running a marathon requires months of preparation. We recommend a 24 week training programme to ensure you complete the full 26.2 miles. There are a plethora of training schedules online depending on your current ability. What if I get thirsty during the race? All races will provide water and isotonic drinks every few kilometers unless otherwise stated in the race itinerary. During the race itself there will be signs providing you with notice that a refreshment station is ahead. There will be helpers distributing the water from the sidelines and it s easy to grab the bottle or cup without interrupting your pace. Where do I put my personal belongs during the race? We would recommend you keep all personal belongs locked in your safety box in the hotel. If your hotel does not have a safe, be sure to keep your passport and any other personal belongings in a locked suitcase kept in your room. At the start of the race we will collect any jumpers/jogging bottoms and other clothes you do not wish to run in, and deliver them back to you after you finish. What support can I expect from the Choose a Challenge team? Choose a Challenge will meet you at the airport, transfer you directly to your where we will offer you an introductory briefing to the city and the itinerary ahead. During the trip we can help organise city activities and tours, we will conduct an in depth race briefing, organise starting and finishing points and celebrate in style with the group in the evening of the race. What s Included Return flights from London to Barcelona. Airport transfers to and from your hotel. Comfortable hotel accommodation in Barcelona on a bed and breakfast basis. Pre- race carbo- loading dinner. In country marathon briefing on how to tackle the race. Race number, official marathon t- shirt & timing chip. Marathon entry fees. Post- marathon celebrations. A certificate of completion. Training tips from leisure training experts. Services of professional English speaking Choose a Challenge representatives. 24/7 support and emergency line available throughout the itinerary. What s Not Included Tips and gratuities. Travel Insurance. Items of a personal nature, such as souvenirs and telephone calls. Alcoholic / soft drinks. Country visa (if applicable please check entry requirements). Meals not included in the itinerary.
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