From Sally Armitage…
This was my fourth marathon and my third one at Blackpool. Conditions were fairly good, there was some cloud cover and a definite breeze. My goal was to run at the same average pace as my two fastest previous marathons, but rather than start fast and fade away after 20 miles, as I’ve done on every marathon so far, my plan was to set off slower and run the entire marathon with even splits. I really thought this was a realistic goal, but a combination of stomach cramps from around the halfway point and a stitch followed immediately by a hamstring cramp between 22-24 miles, put paid to that. I was disappointed but will try again at Chester in the autumn. I also have Windermere in seven weeks but I think I’ll just focus on enjoying that one before I completely fall out of love with the marathon distance!
(1st male Peter Mackrell Salford Harriers 2:36:30)
(1st female Lizzie Polgreen Portobello RC 3:08:22)
42 Martin Hartley 3:01:44
70 Sally Armitage 3:12:53
221 Paul Sullivan 3:45:21
401 Ritchie Williamson 4:19:28 (looked to be on pacing duties)
672 ran