From Hilda Coulsey…
Another weekend, another marathon. Tales from the previous weekend at London built the pressure – the run itself, it is a long 26.2 miles on roads, and the muscle stiffness to look forward to after.
It was lovely to see a major marathon taking place again, crowds shouting encouragement, plenty of volunteers, a superb event. It was a long day with the half marathon before it and very staggered start times, I didn’t begin until 11.25. This was my first time running of Manchester and the first marathon for a couple of Harriers too. No-one is owning up to finding it easy.
I found it particularly hard after 30k, not a surprise as I didn’t train beyond 2hrs 45. I was planning to run Chicago, same Sunday, deferred from last year. I was hanging on to see if we Brits would be allowed to enter the US, it didn’t seem likely hence I really didn’t have the motivation to train. However, when it was eventually a certainty in early September that I wouldn’t go, I thought but I need a good-for-age time to enter a big race next year so I entered Manchester. It was pragmatism over enthusiasm. Now I have the good-for-age time target I set myself I’m now wondering what was I thinking as my place for Chicago is deferred until 2022, do I want to do two marathons next year – NO!!!
Well done to all the runners.
The elite race was won by Mathew Crehan 2:18:26 and Anna Bracegirdle 2:40:17
836 David Foyston 3:0716
964 Jane McCarthy 3:09:52 (6th FV45)
2856 Michael Ho 3:37:48
3421 Leah Chown 3:43:59
4130 Justin Pierce 3:51:18
4286 Helen Waddington 3:52:46
5645 Tom Worboys 4:04:30
8925 Hilda Coulsey 4:37:33
13,454 finished