Benidorm’s Cheltenham celebration sees Brits go wild in bars regardless of the rain in Spain
EXCLUSIVE: British and Irish holiday makers have been going wild along Benidorm’s famous Calle Gerona strip, crowding in front of screens despite torrential rain that’s done little to stop the party
Revellers in Benidorm got more than they bargained for today (March 13) after rain forced the party inside.
Scores of British and Irish racing fans have been packing into bars usually reliant on large terraces to catch a glimpse of the action on St Patrick’s Thursday.
Many had come prepared for the downpour. “It’s only a bit of rain isn’t it,” train driver Shaun Richy from the Lake District said. He added he didn’t normally go to Cheltenham and was “just here with the lads,” adding that it was “cheaper to come to Benidorm than it is to go to Cheltenham – so we just come here with the lads.”
On the terrace at the Marina Hotel – which has become an unofficial centre for the resort’s Cheltenham action – Luke Meller, a construction site manager from Derby, sat in the downpour in a pink poncho, unmoved by the soggy chaos around him. You bothered about the rain? he was asked. “Nope.”
Not everyone felt as positive about the inclement weather, though. Mr Marchandley, from Carlise, looked prepared wearing an umbrella hat as he filed into the Marina with a procession of mates in the same headwear.
The 32-year-old factory worker said he was here for “a bit of racing, a couple of stag dos, just having a good time,” but did admit the rain was taking the edge off things “a bit”.
Zoe Thompson from Cheshire was sitting under the edge of a parasol as she spoke to the Star. “We came here last year to watch the races, it’s amazing, the atmosphere’s incredible, it’s just like being at Cheltenham but better, and sun.
“Obviously today we haven’t got the sun but it’s still fun, we’ve got the tunes on, it’s alright.”
Middlesbrough-based mechanical apprentice Max Salter, 21, said: “I went to Cheltenham Festival last year. We went down for the Tuesday and the Wednesday and it was £100 a day for a ticket, so that’s already £200 spent, AirBnb, expensive as f***, and we didn’t even stay at Cheltenham, we stayed at Gloucester. This year we thought we’ll try Benidorm, flew in Monday, fly out Sunday, costs £300 with flights. It’s a no-brainer.”
Steel salesman Adam Whitefield, 32, from Belfast said he normally goes to Cheltenham but also “thought we’d try something different this year.
“It’s brilliant, the atmosphere’s good, it works out cheaper than going to Cheltenham as well – all good so far.”
He was sitting with Belfast restaurant manager Evie Cousins, 33, who said she was “just tagging along for a holiday,” but said the whole thing was still “brilliant.”
Noah Ray, 21, works at the Marina, which has put up a massive screen over its pool. He said having hoards of Brits flock to Benidorm was “very, very good, I love the people.
“It’s busy in summer too, but [during Cheltenham] it can be a little bit difficult because the people are drunk. If you work here [at Marina] you’re going to like it, but if you live here, you’re not going to.”
Middlesbrough man Kai Prest was wearing a football shirt and was running for cover as he gave his two pence to the Star.
The 21-year-old student said he was here for “horse racing, drinking, cheap beer, the sun – yesterday. It’s cheaper than going to Cheltenham, good pubs, good atmosphere. I see myself coming back.”
