EMF Edinburgh Half Marathon

[sTrongFuse]

Despite having to leave the house at 6:30am for an 8am start (preceeded by the inevitable queue for the portaloos), this is a great, if slightly inaccurately named event.

It starts opposite the Commonwealth Pool and takes a largely downhill route, heading down the bridges, the Royal Mile (with its cobbles), past the Scottish Parliamnent, an out and back through Hollyrood Park, before heading to Jock's Lodge and out to the shore at Portobello.

After that, it leaves Edinbugh entirley, and flattens out as it carries on along the shore through the neighbouring town of Musselbugh and then on to Prestongrange (at that point the Marathon runners, who start 2 hours later, carry on along the East Lothian coast towards Longniddry before doubling back). Turning round, we head back the way we've came into Musselburgh before finishing in the sports fields of Pinkie Primary school.

Conditions were almost perfect; not cold, not too warm and a near absence of wind on Portobello promenade which, for those of us who run there regularly, is a welcome mercy as it normally blows with considerable force into your face.

So, stats time...

This was the third of my three events this month; having already done a 5k (Sunday 8 May) and 10k (Sunday 15 May). It being May, I'm doing Runr's #MilesForMind challenge and this run took me past 200km/125mi (with a final run to do on Tuesday). It was also the fourth of my six #RaceTheMachine ( racethemachine.co.uk/ ) challenges; giving my my fourth victory over its machinations... It was also my fifth (and fastest) time over Half Marathon distance this year; having so far done one each month.

My time - 1:59:05 (a new PB, my previous being 1:59:06, set at the Scottish HM in September) and a finish position of 4480/9906 overall, and 3004/4814 for men (and 236/417 for my 50M age group).

All in all, delighted with the result and it was great to have the crowds back out to cheer us on.

I hope my other fellow HU runners enjoyed their runs too.

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

Congratulation, a super race and a PB too 😀😊

[Fionamags]

That sounded very positive and it certainly was a great day. The crowds if supporters were brilliant!

[Madge50 Marathon]

Well done! 👏.....I did that a few years ago, loved it! You missed out greyfriars bobby! Loved the part next to the sea, certainly one of my favourites, we did Portobello parkrun the day before as well.All in all a great event!

Edinburgh is one of my favourite places, happy memories

Mx

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Sounds like a beautiful day all round! Congratulations on your 1 sec. PB too!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Sounds such a great race! Well done and congratulations on your achievements and latest PB 💪

And what fab looking bling too 🤩

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon]

Congratulations on a fantastic month of running and a new PB. The Edinburgh hm sounds like a great event 🎉🎉