From Colin Williams…
Over the last four days I have been taking part in the Fewston and Swinsty 4 in 4 days Marathon series. The marathons, along with options to run 6.5miles, half marathons and as far as you can in 6 hours are organised by Grim up North Running, a very friendly group. Their races are well marshalled and well signed, with plenty of cake, goody bags (chocolate and beer) and medals for all finishers.
The normal route for this event is 4 laps of the Fewston and Swinsty reservoirs, I have run this race before, but because of the Fewston Dam being closed for works, the route this year was changed and took in a couple of extra hills, thereby making each marathon around 2,000 ft of climb.
Day 1
On day 1, Thursday 18th, I lined up with around 30 runners, 19 running the marathon, 7 having signed up to all 4 days. The weather was warm, with a little drizzle, I led the way for the first mile or so before being overtaken by a couple of other runners, I kept on going and finished in second place in the marathon in a time of 4:11:12. The winner was Darren Jenness in a time of 3:37:39, 19 finished.
Day 2
On day 2 the runners had increased to 40, 17 running the marathon, 1 of the 4 in 4 runners had dropped out, the weather was still warm, but dry. I led off again but was soon overtaken by 8 runners who disappeared off into the distance. Friday was not a good day for me, I found it hard going compared to Thursday and finished in ninth place in the marathon in a time of 4:43:54. The winner was Colin Johnstone in a time of 3:29:46, 17 finished.
Day 3
On day 3 I expected the number of runners to peak at the weekend, the start line was up to 50, but the marathon had only 11 competitors, and the 4 in 4 runners was down to 4 out, the weather was still good. I felt far better than the day before. I led off again and was surprised to carry on up frunt for nearly the first lap and then was overtaken by a half marathon runner. I then ran the next three laps expecting a faster runner to come up behind me, but it never happened, I won my first marathon in a few years, in a time of 4:17:06. 11 finished.
Day 4
Sunday 21st was a great day for running – sunny and dry, but much cooler than the first 3 days. The number of runners was around 50 again with 14 running the marathon, and my other three 4 in 4 runners had made it to join me for the last day. For once I didn’t take the lead at the start, well not more than the first 25 meters anyway, before 3 half marathon runners shot past on a mission. I finished in second place in the marathon in a time of 4:25:29. The winner was Subhashis Basu in a time of 3:56:02, 12 finished.
4 in 4 overall results
I had a time of 17 hrs 41 minutes for all four marathons, the fastest of the four runners who completed all of the races.