It was not about the few pounds that had appeared in December, or pre empting the New Years resolutions to get fit. The 3rd Arona San Silvestre Golden Mile run was a fun gathering for all ages, on the edge of Playa de Las Americas and Los Cristianos in Tenerife,with 19 categories of races from short dashes for young children of 4 and 5 upwards, to the full 5 km route down to the sea, along the front, and back along The Golden Mile. It’s fame is growing, and the afternoon farewell to 2018 had an international feel, with the two overall winners coming from Germany.

Jannik Arbogast headed the field with a time of 15.28.39 and Johanna Flacke was the leading lady in 18.26.57. They were in a party of five friends from Karlsruhe , near the southern border of Germany, members of the local athletics club and also keen cyclists with Bikronos. The run was the perfect topping for their two week training trip to Tenerife. In between them, second placed Ayoze Perez Tejera (no 3), representing Trivalle Guimar Restaurante, clocked 15.35.09, and third overall was Miguel Angel Vaquero Agama (no 2) for the Tenerife Caja Canarias team in 15.41.51. Wigs and multi coloured skirts were a good clue to distracted shoppers and holiday makers that it wasn’t all about winning.

Running with a group of friends was a popular idea, the Charco del Pino Farmacia werea great advert for good health, in fact they were in the pink. Sport and Beers might not be recommended by some doctors but their team still had a healthy orange glow at the end of the race. Evolution with their Santa suited under his red robes, poured themselves some cold Dorada’s at the end of their team effort. Trust the Glasgow ladies to find the Dorada, but you do have to replenish your liquids. Pauline Douglas, a fitness instructor, and Valarie Davidson were over on a weeks holiday, saw an advert for the race, and signed up.

There was a good sprinkling of British in the run, 60 year old Phllip Seddon is a keen runner with Darwen Dashers in Lancashire. As well as being a regular in the London Marathon, he had recently taken part in the Cyprus Marathon, and his Tenerife holiday was boosted when he saw an advert for the San Silvestre. Wigan now has a reputation as the running capital of the UK, after an amazing haul by five family friends. Sami and Zak Manir-Jolley took the first places in their junior categories, Lynn Manir-Jolley got second in hers, a feat equalled by 16 year old Ben Woods, Mo Manir-Jolley added a third in his own group. Lynn and Mo run for Wigan Phoenix, and the other three are members of Wigan Harriers. Watch out for Ben Woods, he is also an accomplished footballer who plays for the Academy team of Burnley FC.

It took a mammoth effort by Arona Council and their team of organisers to make the afternoon run so smoothly with 800 runners taking part. The entrance fee was a mere five or ten euros depending on how early you signed up, and that included a commemorative vest, medal, and extra awards for the top three in each category. There was also plenty of free water, bananas, and even cake to replace the runners energy after their exertions. Look out for the 31st December 2019 race at www.gesportcanarias.com

Gonzalo made a brilliant double save to keep Real Madrid hopes alive as they trailed in the second half of the final of the 2018 La Liga Promises Under 12’s Tournament in Tenerife. Then in a penalty shoot out his two stops were vital. In between, Pisoni, the Inter Milan stopper failed to hold a late shot, allowing Jacobo to force an extra five minutes, followed by penalties. Pisoni was voted best goalie of the tournament, and Gonzalo ended in tears of joy as his team lifted the trophy. What emotion, what drama, and what a pleasure to see so many young players who will ensure the beautiful game has a rich future.

Three days with 16 teams from six different countries produced plenty to admire at the Estadio Antonio Dominguez Stadium in Playa de Las Americas. The four qualifying groups started it off with games of 12 minutes each way on the half sized pitch. Abu Dhabi Sports Council were the unknown quantity, they leaked a lot of goals as did my home side CD Tenerife, and island neighbours UD Las Palmas, all three couldn´t get through the first stage but will have learnt from their experience.

Villareal, and Espanyol looked good as they cruised over the first hurdles, they played hard, and like all the squads they rotated their bench to keep their seven on pitch players fresh. With the world watching via TV, personal sportsmanship was impeccable from all quarters, they even looked cool and mature when interviewed at pitch side. Looking at some of the coverage on the giant screen, I have to say the Tenerife setting was a pretty impressive backdrop. At that age the players develop at different rates so there were fascinating contrasts between powerful big lads, and smaller, nippy players with a lower centre of gravity. Football is a great leveller, a Real Betis player wore glasses, not a common sight in football, but he was one of their best performers.

By the night of the final, it was now 20 minutes a half, with the added pressure of a peak crowd of 5,000 fans, quite a test of nerves. Inter Milan came out stronger, Michele Scienza scored after three minutes with a clever looped shot, after going close just before. Milan played a holding game that took the sting out of Madrid but that changed in the second half as Milan tired and Madrid opened up their defence. Pisoni and Gonzalo both seemed to have an extra pair of hands as they produced a string of top saves. The seconds were ticking down when a soft shot was like a hot potato to Pisoni and Jacobo buried the ball past him with a powerful header with seconds to spare. Five minutes extra play couldn´t separate the teams and penalties were indicated. It was even at a spot kick success each when Gonzalo saved from Inter, and his team mate Pablo stroked home the clincher.

Both sides had given everything and emotions flowed, Milan were gracious in defeat and quick to congratulate the winners. Winning coach Juanjo Crespo and his players shed more tears as they paraded the trophy and their individual medals. Real Madrid dominated the early days of the tournament, they racked up six wins but the latest was even sweeter for the 16 year wait.