It seems success is just a question of finding your niche event and for Rachel it finally happened last weekend in Barcelona. Having never won anything before (apart from an attendance award for going to every single Summer Series event a few years ago) she suddenly found herself on the No 1 podium in the Barcelona Olympic Stadium, shaking hands with folk from all over Europe and being presented with a prize while ‘We Are the Champions’ blared out. (Talk about out of body experiences – she’s receiving counselling to help her come to terms with the heady feeling of victory and the urge to sign any item of clothing or paper thrust in her direction!!)
The Trofeu Internacional Ciutat de Barcelona is a two day event showcasing the city’s sights with a Sprint race on the Saturday, this year around the Barri Gòtic, and a Long race on the Sunday through the warren of paths, fountains, the castle, play parks and grand architectural spaces that make up Montjuïc hill to the SW of the city centre. It’s a long way to go just for a race but if you like urban and long w/e city breaks, you’ll love this event – just a shame you’ll have to wait two years for the next one and Club Orientació Catalunya can’t guarantee that you’ll get the chance to run down the 100m straight in the Olympic Stadium on your way to pick up your map in 2014. Wooohoooo!
GRAMPIAN ORIENTEERS 