Relish racing two tunnels out and back HM race report.

[Tabbles]

Arrived at the park and ride around 9:10, longish queue for the event park and ride bus.

Not long to wait as everyone on the queue gets on the bus,probably a 10 minute ride to the venue.

Set up is in a large field, plenty of porta loos available. After checking my number on the board I grab my number from the registration tent.

Attached my number and sort out my hydration vest and stash my jelly babies and gels, and drop my bag at the bag drop. Watch the 2 previous waves go off and wonder other to the start line, while performing my warm up.

After a brief briefing we are off, the course is 2 laps on a public walk/cycle path. The path is probably is wide enough for about 5-6 people. This can be quite tight with cycles squezzing between runners going in both directions.

Start is a little crowded and there is an uneven discent onto the cycle path.

Set into a comfortable pace matching the people around me. There is an almost unnoticeable climb to the first tunnel. The tunnel is reasonably lit although some runners used torches. This is where you need to be careful with the cyclists. First tunnel is 408m long and nice and cool.

Exiting the tunnel into a lightly wooded area for about a kilometre before heading into the longer tunnel which is 1672m long. Eerie piped music is playing at certain points along the tunnel.

Emerging from the tunnel, you shortly cross a viaduct at the end of which is the drinks station. I grabbed an organge slice from the range of fruit and energy bars.

Next have to be wary as there are a couple of options depending on the race. I Pass the 10k turn and a different route if you are doing the hilly HM. I round the marker and realise that this is quarter distance. You then retrace the route back to the start field where there is short sharp climb to another drinks station. Most of the first lap I seemed to be around people one guy I kept exchanging places first lap was jeffing but seemed to fall away on the second lap

Start of the second lap there are quite a lot of runners coming in the opposite direction from the later shorter race.

But I seemed to have found a large gap as there are not many people around me, seemed like I had the second tunnel to myself.

Arriving at the turn point for the second time, and now I am in uncharted territory. Decide to slow a bit not feeling tired but legs were tightening a bit

Emerging from the second tunnel this time the path slopes down slightly and I pick up the pace slightly.

Slight incline back to the field which you have to cross to the finish. Slight sprint for the line to finish.

Picked up the wooden medal, does seem a bit disappointing but understandable from a company which values sustainability.

Grabbed some goodies from the table then went to get my bag and a coffee.

Event is well organised, Marshalls are good and good motivators.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

I’ve given you your well-earned HM badge, very well done and congratulations 🥳 Sounds like a fab day!

Great report. I’ve done a few Relish Races and they're very well organised.

Hope the legs are ok today 🙂

[Tabbles Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks for the badge, legs ache a bit, but I think I over did things on Saturday. Couldn't sleep i think the adelaline was still pumping last night. Feeling a bit tired this morning.🐱😴

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Tabbles]

That’s all perfectly normal. I always take a few walks and that seems to help the legs a bit. The sleep thing will come… 🙂

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

This is a perfect report!!! How very interesting, and a massive well done for your run xxxxx

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Well done Tabbles. I’ve often been tempted by that race, and who knows I might do it next year if the Bath Half are still playing awkward (this year’s postponed event includes Marlborough Lane up to the finish. No thanks!) 😱

I quite like a wooden medal just to ring the changes, but I know what you mean. I think a first HM medal should be heavy, chunky metal! 🏅

[Tabbles Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Here are the 2 I have earned, I choose this event as it fitted with my training plan. Ribbons represent the different races.I have a 5k in July to complete my set of 3, then will probably book one in August to complete the set of four.

Wooden medals

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Tabbles]

Nice. 😍

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

I was in Bath Fri and Sat and thought of you! Looks like you paced that really well - not easy on your first HM. Congratulations 👏👏👏