The 2026 Storm Therese Marathon, Gran Canaria
Marathon # 562
Maspalomas Dunes Marathon # 122
Barefoot Marathon # 208
Date: March 24, 2026
My Time: 8:42:32
By Dr. Barefoot Sidy Diallo
I did my 562nd marathon on March 24, 2026—the worst day of Storm Therese that hit the 8 Canary Islands during eight days (March 17–25). That was also my third marathon during the storm.
In southern Gran Canaria, the strong waves and heavy rains significantly impacted two touristic highlights: the 6 km Maspalomas/Playa del Inglés Beach and the Maspalomas Lagoon (La Charca de Maspalomas).
The beach was practically washed away by the strong waves during the first days of the storm. The waves even reached the Maspalomas Dunes, causing further damage and creating pools inside the dunes. The beach is now gradually recovering with the return of its sand.
As for the Maspalomas Lagoon, it went through a spectacular metamorphosis during and after Storm Therese. First, on March 22nd, the Lagoon reached its maximum level, due to the heavy rains, and began to overflow through the beach onto the sea, a phenomenon, which had not occurred for years. Fortunately, it was still possible to walk through the shallow waters of the flooded area.
The next day, March 23rd, the massive influx of water from the mountains, which turned the dry Maspalomas ravine into a dangerous river, prompted the staff of the local government to dig a deep canal connecting the Lagoon to the sea. The current in the canal was so strong that it was closed to the public until March 25th. During those three days, the beach was cut in two, the shortest way to get from one bank to the other being to take a 3 km detour through the dunes, which I did.
The passage through the canal was opened to the public on March 26, but the detour through the dunes still seemed the best option during the high tides, if you don’t want to sink into the water up to your belly, or even higher.
On March 30, municipal services reconnected the two sections of the 6 km Maspalomas/Playa del Inglés Beach by closing the canal, taking advantage of the high tide, in order to allow the pond to regain its water level and optimal environmental conditions. Or so they thought, because the following high tide washed away the sand, reopening the canal...
My book Running Barefoot for Human Survival is available on Amazon in paperback and e-book format (French edition: Courir pieds nus pour sauver les humains).
Maspalomas Dunes Marathon # 122
Barefoot Marathon # 208
Date: March 24, 2026
My Time: 8:42:32
By Dr. Barefoot Sidy Diallo
I did my 562nd marathon on March 24, 2026—the worst day of Storm Therese that hit the 8 Canary Islands during eight days (March 17–25). That was also my third marathon during the storm.
In southern Gran Canaria, the strong waves and heavy rains significantly impacted two touristic highlights: the 6 km Maspalomas/Playa del Inglés Beach and the Maspalomas Lagoon (La Charca de Maspalomas).
The beach was practically washed away by the strong waves during the first days of the storm. The waves even reached the Maspalomas Dunes, causing further damage and creating pools inside the dunes. The beach is now gradually recovering with the return of its sand.
As for the Maspalomas Lagoon, it went through a spectacular metamorphosis during and after Storm Therese. First, on March 22nd, the Lagoon reached its maximum level, due to the heavy rains, and began to overflow through the beach onto the sea, a phenomenon, which had not occurred for years. Fortunately, it was still possible to walk through the shallow waters of the flooded area.
The next day, March 23rd, the massive influx of water from the mountains, which turned the dry Maspalomas ravine into a dangerous river, prompted the staff of the local government to dig a deep canal connecting the Lagoon to the sea. The current in the canal was so strong that it was closed to the public until March 25th. During those three days, the beach was cut in two, the shortest way to get from one bank to the other being to take a 3 km detour through the dunes, which I did.
The passage through the canal was opened to the public on March 26, but the detour through the dunes still seemed the best option during the high tides, if you don’t want to sink into the water up to your belly, or even higher.
On March 30, municipal services reconnected the two sections of the 6 km Maspalomas/Playa del Inglés Beach by closing the canal, taking advantage of the high tide, in order to allow the pond to regain its water level and optimal environmental conditions. Or so they thought, because the following high tide washed away the sand, reopening the canal...
My book Running Barefoot for Human Survival is available on Amazon in paperback and e-book format (French edition: Courir pieds nus pour sauver les humains).
The Maspalomas/Playa del Inglés Beach was practically washed away by the strong waves during the first days of Storm Therese.
Dr. Barefoot Sidy Diallo’s 2026 Storm Therese Marathon Garmin Data
People cross the canal connecting the Maspalomas lagoon to the sea at high tide.
The massive influx of water from the mountains, caused by Storm Therese, transformed the dried-up Maspalomas ravine into a dangerous river flowing into the Maspalomas lagoon and, further on, across the beach, into the sea.
The Maspalomas/Playa del Inglés Beach is gradually recovering from its destruction by Storm Therese.
Dr. Barefoot Sidy Diallo did his 562nd marathon on the worst day of Storm Therese in the Canary Islands.