From Hilda Coulsey…
This was the 41st edition of the race, established in 1982, making it one of the oldest in UK. It’s a fairly flat course but run mostly on pavements with many twists and turns, uneven surfaces and only 5 miles of closed roads. Undoubtedly its a club event, I didn’t see any charity runners or fancy dress and, although both main race directors were female, and female only facilities were prominent, only 28% of participants were female which I found unusual and difficult to understand. In addition, older runners were almost entirely England or Wales qualifiers ie from out of the area and whilst the cut off was 6 hours there were not many finishers after me.
I was proud again to be running in an England masters vest, having qualified from London and chalking up the clean sweep of 10k, half and full marathons in England vests this year.
I’d read Forrest Hamilton’s report from last year and viewed a few you-tube clips so I was pretty well prepared for the route. My training had gone well and I was feeling good. I have to say though that I tried hard to enjoy the race with little success. As usual I set off faster than the average pace I was planning but after half way the unevenness of the pavements, the dips forming puddles with the rain, was annoying me and my time began to free fall. I kept going until I was taken out about mile 22 by a cyclist on a path between some trees who fell over in a dip and I fell over the bike. He said he hoped he hadn’t ruined my day! So I walked to steady myself and set off again. I was just happy to finish then and time went out the window.
1. Tom Hollis 2:29:24 Lonely Goat RC (gun time)
51. Louise Flynn 2:46:43 Les Croupiers RC
950. Hilda Coulsey 4:44:01 (chip time)
1014 ran 728 male, 283 female