The Maspalomas Red Crabs Marathon, Gran Canaria
Marathon # 524
Barefoot Marathon # 188
Maspalomas Dunes Marathon # 88
Date: October 25, 2025
My Time: 7:24:06
By Dr. Barefoot Sidy Diallo
I began my 524th marathon with a visit to the red crabs of Maspalomas. The best sites to watch these crabs (scientifically known as Grapsus adscensionis) in Maspalomas are at the three northern rocky breakwaters of the 6 km beach, and on the rocky shore of the San Agustin District. Their color changes with age; juveniles are grayish with white spots, while adults are red or orange with yellow and blue spots.
Their habitat in Maspalomas is the rocky intertidal zone which is the area that is above water at low tide and underwater at high tide. Unfortunately, they won’t let you get close to them for nice pics: they run away and hide under the rocks, as they know that humans are among their predators.
Grapsus adscensionis live in parts of the Atlantic coast of Africa and in several Atlantic islands such as the Canary Islands, the Azores, the Savage Islands, Madeira, Saint Helena and Ascension Island, from which it takes its scientific name.
My book Running Barefoot for Human Survival, available on Amazon in paperback and e-book format (French edition: Courir pieds nus pour sauver les humains).
Barefoot Marathon # 188
Maspalomas Dunes Marathon # 88
Date: October 25, 2025
My Time: 7:24:06
By Dr. Barefoot Sidy Diallo
I began my 524th marathon with a visit to the red crabs of Maspalomas. The best sites to watch these crabs (scientifically known as Grapsus adscensionis) in Maspalomas are at the three northern rocky breakwaters of the 6 km beach, and on the rocky shore of the San Agustin District. Their color changes with age; juveniles are grayish with white spots, while adults are red or orange with yellow and blue spots.
Their habitat in Maspalomas is the rocky intertidal zone which is the area that is above water at low tide and underwater at high tide. Unfortunately, they won’t let you get close to them for nice pics: they run away and hide under the rocks, as they know that humans are among their predators.
Grapsus adscensionis live in parts of the Atlantic coast of Africa and in several Atlantic islands such as the Canary Islands, the Azores, the Savage Islands, Madeira, Saint Helena and Ascension Island, from which it takes its scientific name.
My book Running Barefoot for Human Survival, available on Amazon in paperback and e-book format (French edition: Courir pieds nus pour sauver les humains).
Two red crabs (Grapsus adscensionis) at the rocky intertidal zone of a breakwater in Maspalomas, Gran Canaria
Dr. Sidy Diallo’s Maspalomas Red Crabs Marathon Garmin Data
One of the breakwaters in Maspalomas, Gran Canaria