Interview to the band Angels of Mercy

We have been encouraging the participants of the Zurich Marató Barcelona during the last 8 years at a cheering point.

When was the band Angels of Mercy born?

The band started at the end of 2007. A group of friends, fans of Dire Straits, joined together to pay tribute to them and, some time later, the band has grown as we have become more serious and committed, but without losing the initial motivation nor the friendly way of working of the band.

How many years have you collaborated with the Zurich Marató Barcelona and how did this opportunity arise?

We have taken part in 8 editions so far. Our first time in the Zurich Marató Barcelona was in 2012, we heard that the organization was looking for music bands to encourage the runners, and we didn’t hesitate to try this new experience. It was very different from a typical concert, we didn’t have a fixed audience in front of us, the public were runners who were passing in front of us, it was very strange! But we enjoyed it so much that we have repeated every year since them.

What is the most beautiful thing of your collaboration with the race?

Without a doubt, the welcome from the participants. To think that, for example, they have run 20 km run and still have another 20km to go, and when they pass in front of us, they look at you, smile, and encourage you, they cheer for us and we are there to cheer for them, and some even stop for a few seconds to dance, before continue running… this is great! The joy we see on their faces for that little while they enjoy your music is contagious. We have friends who run the race and they always tell us that this moment of music makes them renew their strength to continue with the rest of the race.

What would you say to a runner who has doubts about taking part in the Zurich Marató Barcelona?

That he/she should not think about it, that he/she will have the chance to run in a spectacular city like Barcelona, beating him/herself, beating his/her own record or testing their own limits, with bands as ours along the race to encourage them and fill everything with music… what could be better than this? Well, being with your friends playing music for them.