The Calima Marathon, Gran Canaria
Marathon # 510
Maspalomas Dunes Marathon # 74
Date: August 9, 2025
My Time: 7:56:30
By Dr. Barefoot Sidy Diallo
I did a marathon for the first time during a calima, in Playa del Inglés. The term “calima” refers to a weather phenomenon that happens when fine sand and dust particles from the Sahara Desert are lifted into the atmosphere and transported by the winds to the Canary Islands, and sometimes beyond. The warm, dry air mass associated with the phenomenon can reduce visibility and significantly raise temperatures.
On the day of my race, the visibility in Playa del Inglés was still not so bad, but the temperatures were so high—one supermarket sign on the course was showing 44 °C (111 °F) at 1 p.m.—that I opted to walk the whole distance. I even had to take a break at home.
When I resumed the race around 5:00 p.m., I first headed to the Gran Canaria Craft Fair where a Cuban Trio was playing old Cubans tunes, like “Son de la loma.” The 10-day event is held near the Maspalomas Lighthouse until August 17.
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 # 74
Date: August 9, 2025
My Time: 7:56:30
By Dr. Barefoot Sidy Diallo
I did a marathon for the first time during a calima, in Playa del Inglés. The term “calima” refers to a weather phenomenon that happens when fine sand and dust particles from the Sahara Desert are lifted into the atmosphere and transported by the winds to the Canary Islands, and sometimes beyond. The warm, dry air mass associated with the phenomenon can reduce visibility and significantly raise temperatures.
On the day of my race, the visibility in Playa del Inglés was still not so bad, but the temperatures were so high—one supermarket sign on the course was showing 44 °C (111 °F) at 1 p.m.—that I opted to walk the whole distance. I even had to take a break at home.
When I resumed the race around 5:00 p.m., I first headed to the Gran Canaria Craft Fair where a Cuban Trio was playing old Cubans tunes, like “Son de la loma.” The 10-day event is held near the Maspalomas Lighthouse until August 17.
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).
A supermarket sign showing 44 °C (111 °F) in Maspalomas during Dr. Sidy Diallo’s Calima Marathon.
Dr. Sidy Diallo’s Calima Marathon Garmin Data
Dr. Sidy Diallo on the Meloneras boardwalk during his Calima Marathon
A crowded beach bar in Meloneras, Gran Canaria, during a calima
Gisele Diallo at the 2025 Gran Canaria Craft Fair
Calima in Playa del Inglés, Gran Canaria
Calima in Meloneras, Gran Canaria