Further to the welcome pre-Christmas announcement that Pilgrims starting their pilgrimage in A Coruna could obtain the Compostela, provided that they have walked the balance of the Camino (25km) in their own country or where they live. Avril Gonzalez-Primero of the the Coruna Tourist Association announced that they have secured funding this year to set up a temporary installation on the promenade (adjacent to Riazor Beach) which will contain three treadmills. The treadmills will be pre-programmed to mimic the undulating nature of parts of the Ingles route and can be booked in sessions of 10kms, in order to ensure that in busy times all pilgrims have fair and reasonable access. The facility will have a set of full-width, bi-folding doors facing the beach to ensure that Pilgrims breath the fresh air and feel the elements which, anyone who has visited A Coruna will know, can be bracing! The idea behind the initiative is that Pilgrims may spend a day or two in Coruna before they set out to Santiago, enjoying the city and its culture in addition to fulfilling the 100km requirement.
If this summer's trial is a success then the exercise may be repeated next year in A Coruna and also extended to the Pilgrims Office in Santiago, where it is thought that the ability to complete the 100kms may pass the time whilst waiting in the summer queue.
If this summer's trial is a success then the exercise may be repeated next year in A Coruna and also extended to the Pilgrims Office in Santiago, where it is thought that the ability to complete the 100kms may pass the time whilst waiting in the summer queue.