Sports enthusiasts now have another way of discovering Barcelona: guided fun-run routes organised by 360º Running Barcelona. This association offers sports enthusiasts an alternative way of visiting the city.
It is now possible to jog around Barcelona’s nooks and corners and immerse yourself in their history and culture. There are various guided routes that follow the parameters of traditional visits, including stop-offs. The city’s history is explained while you run from one place to another. While you are on the move, the guides explain the culture, architecture and social atmosphere of the places you pass through.
“We love running and we also love our city. What we do is combine both things and show people the city while they run. This means you get to places you don’t normally see on foot, because they are too far away, but by travelling at a different rhythm you can get to know other, prettier places”, explained Joan Brull, a member of the 360º Running Barcelona team.
‘Discover Barcelona while you run!’ video
The popularity of running is on the rise in Barcelona, and Mr Brull explained that he had the idea together with Jaume Pedregosa, another of the organisation’s founder members, with whom he “used to go running and wander around the streets of the city”.
Travelling with your running shoes at hand
At first, the routes were aimed at tourists who wanted another way of discovering the city and who would usually “travel with their running shoes at hand”. However, local people also take part in the routes. They are keen on getting to know their city by combining sport and culture.
The key factor for taking part is being a non-professional sports enthusiast. They stress that the routes are adapted to the level of the people taking part, so that everyone can keep up with the rhythm of the visit.
Routes from the sea to the mountains
The 360º Running Barcelona team offers various routes, including the seashore and the mountains, with visits centred on Collserola, the Carretera de les Aigües and Passeig Marítim. They also have a route around Ciutat Vella, the area around Passeig de Gràcia and the Gòtic neighbourhood.
In addition to seeing the main sights, such as the Sagrada Família, the Rambla and the Palau de la Música Catalana, they also show other less popular places, like the Sant Pere neighbourhood. The routes are normally done in the early morning or at the end of the day, and the distance can vary from 5 to 25 kilometres, according to the visitors’ wishes and their physical fitness.
(Originally published in http://eldigital.bcn.cat/?p=79027&lang=en&lang=en)
