Has anyone done or planning to do

[AnnieW55]

Either the Chester or York marathons held in October?

[misswobble Marathon]

I wonder if Tomas is ?

[AnnieW55 in reply to misswobble]

Thanks misswobble . Tomas are you?

Just wondering if anyone has any experience of either as I'm "just wondering".

[Gabby08 Half Marathon in reply to AnnieW55]

I did the York 10 mile last year but I’ve got a place in this year’s marathon - not that I’ve told anyone else this yet. I don’t know whether I’ll go through with it or not but I’m more than toying with the idea.

[AnnieW55 in reply to Gabby08]

Just need to make up my mind on which one before they're both sold out - oops did I just almost commit 😃. Maybe one this year and one next. Thinking as I type, can you tell. I think York this year.......

perhaps.

[Gabby08 Half Marathon in reply to AnnieW55]

Excellent! I think you should go for it! I seem to remember York didn’t sell out until relatively late last year. They’re also very good about allowing you to defer, which is what sold me on it. This year might be a bit too soon for me (it’ll be my first marathon) but by next year, I’ll be more than ready. I’m going to see how my next few HMs (Feb, April and May) go first before I make up my mind...

[AnnieW55 in reply to Gabby08]

Thanks. Just a couple of things to sort and I'll be in if it's available. Sounds like you will be more than ready too!

[Gabby08 Half Marathon in reply to AnnieW55]

Yay! It’s a wonderful place to run and the support will be brilliant. Last year, there were bands and choirs and even the Archbishop was doling our high fives along the way. I’m local so it’s really tempting - but I’ll still only have been running for about 18 months by then and I’m worried that it might be a step too far, too soon.

[AnnieW55 in reply to Gabby08]

Ah. I see your your point. But you have lots of time to see.

I've been here for over five years, done lots of HMs although mostly just me by myself with a handful of actual events. Have had thoughts of a full one for many years - even before I ran!mbut the time has never been right. Finally realised it never will be so I'd better get on with it.

[Gabby08 Half Marathon in reply to AnnieW55]

Sounds like you’ve made up your mind! Brilliant! The idea still terrifies me but I’ll happily defer if I’m not ready. Realistically, I think I’m more likely to aim for 2019 - but you never know!

[misswobble Marathon]

Hi Annie I asked Tomas over on Garmin so he might come here and you know. If he answers me I'll let you know

[Gabby08 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

I seem to remember him saying he was going to do it this year but I’ve not seen him on here for ages. I was hoping to thank him for recommending the Brass Monkey to me! (I did last year’s 10 mile on his recommendation too so he’s been strangely influential for someone I’ve never met!)

[Tomas Marathon]

Hi AnnieW55 , I did the York Marathon back in 2015 (verbal diahorrea about it here: healthunlocked.com/couchto5... and the 10-miler last year. There were some great things and some less great things...

Bad things: Except for a brief few miles through the city centre and around the Minster, it is far more country roads than city cobble stones

Good things: very few cobble stones, but instead good paved country roads

Great support in the villages the route goes through. But there are also some long-ish stretches without "audience"

It's flat. Very flat. The only hill (and runners moan about it) is the uphill towards the university on the last km, it feels never ending. In reality, and if you haven't already run 40 km, it's actually just a gentle incline for less than half a mile.

Excellent organisation. Good toilet facilities en-route. Very friendly marshalls (but truth be told, I don't remember the last time I met an unfriendly marshall)

Parking is on a local airfield a few miles away from the start line, with constant "park-and-run" busses taking runners and spectators into the city. It works very well and avoids the nervousness about whether it'll be easy to park. Because it is.

I had signed up for Paris in April, but after my injury in December/January that's not going to happen. I can now just about run 5 km without being totally wiped out, so that's not happening. I haven't decided whether to go for distance again, in which case I might sign up for York again.

Last year there was a large-ish group of "beyonders" (if you're on that FB group) that did the York marathon. They seemed very pleased with it too.

Hi misswobble thanks for the alert on GC

Hi Gabby08 , I had really looked forward to the Brass Monkey this year. But my legs gave up in early December and I only got back into running a week before BM (still seeing the physio), so I had to give it a miss. Glad you enjoyed it!

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Tomas]

Hey Tomas! Good to see you, although I'm really sorry to hear about your injury, that's rotten luck

Those inclines at the end of marathons, oof...

[Gabby08 Half Marathon in reply to Tomas]

Ach, so sorry to hear you’ve been injured, Tomas. I hope the work with your physio is paying off. Keep us updated with your progress x

[AnnieW55]

Sorry to hear of your injury Tomas

I hope you are well and truly on the mend.

Thanks for the link and info, that's just what I was looking for. I know it's a long distance and all unknown to me but I think the quieter sections may just suit me. Running so far on the flat will be a novelty too. Thanks again. Just off to read your link.