From Hilda Coulsey….
It was a stark reminder of the country’s industrial past and my early chemical engineering days as I got close to the North Sea coast, past the once vibrant Wilton petrochemical complex and the steel works. It is still a major complex with plastics recycling, renewable energy generation and new process developments and, to be fair, is reasonably well landscaped now with plenty of trees.
Expecting anything other than a strong, blustery wind at the coast is delusional, at best, even though the weather forecast was benign. I’d run this race last year, when there was such a breeze, with Jane McCarthy. This year I was on my own, the wind seemed stronger and more gusty, but that could be my memory, and it was in the opposite direction. Again, I pretty much failed to shelter behind other runners.
Apart from all that, a half marathon is a good challenge to be tackled and overcome. This one can be recommended as friendly and well organised. It is run together with a 10k and a 3k with plenty of local families taking part.
My time was slower than last year (not unexpected) but should be fine as an England Masters qualifier. The winner of my age category, Sue Haslam from Scarborough, ran a top of the UK table 1:39 which is quite astounding.
1 1:10:58 Luke Shacklock, Harrogate Harriers
374 2:08:44 Hilda Coulsey
586 ran