I don’t often post about runs, but as some of you were kind enough to wave your virtual Pom Poms for me, I thought it only right to let you know how I got on.
Firstly, I would absolutely recommend the race to anyone who may not be sure whether to do it or not. Despite many about turns and running back the way you came, the course is actually great. There is brilliant support and loads of things to see the whole way around. It’s also pretty comfortably flat without too many uphill sections and it felt like quite a few downhill ones!!
Nothing is perfect and with 18,000 runners inevitably there is both a lot of standing around waiting to start and a lot of people out on the course. It takes a lot of dodging and diving to get around. I’d also say to anyone thinking of running it that it’s best to avoid the water stations if you can. They are absolute carnage, nothing the volunteers or organisers can do, it’s just due to a lot of people all trying to grab a cup at the same time. I picked up a cup at the first one but completely ignored the second due to my experience at the first!!
I’m not particularly at my fittest at the moment and I’m way off my previous PB times but I set myself the target of 1hr 5mins. I was therefore very pleased to finish in 1hr 2mins. I actually felt I could have gone a little faster but that’s for another day I guess.
A nice pub lunch near Victoria and a few more beverages for good measure on the way back to Liverpool Street completed a really great day out.
Written by
Kevin41
Half Marathon
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That sounds like a really good day Kevin. Great time on a hot day. I dodged the early water stations on the GSR last year, but definitely needed the later ones. I set off towards the back of the field, but did a bit of rapid overtaking once I got warmed up; I found myself with plenty of space at the later watering holes! A trick from a GNR veteran…..🙂
Great running Kevin! I simply cannot imagine a run with so many people, 18,000, that's madness! The route on Strava remind me of a Benny Hill chase 🤣🤣.
Nice one Kevin41 it's ace to read a report about your run because you give so much to others.
That's a really good time as well by the way 👏👏👏 It is always tricky finding a way through and navigating space in order to get in a rhythm so a big well done there. To know you had more in you if you really needed it is an excellent sign. Big congratulations ⭐🎖
Well run Kevin41 , and thanks too for posting. It's always good to hear how races went, doesn't matter whether they end up as a PB, DNF or anything in between.
Well done Kevin, I don’t know how the route compares but I loved running in the London Vitality 10k. As you say, running on closed streets in London is awesome. I didn’t have problems with water stations then, but perhaps it was better organised. We were sent in waves depending on expected times.
The medal is fantastic all shiny and oil like colour changing, the T shirt isn’t bad either!!! - annoyingly it won’t let me post a picture of me looking pleased with myself wearing both!
Brilliant Kevin. You had a great 10k and super time! Well done you👏👏🥳🥳and a lovely pub lunch with beverages to round off what was a great day for you😀😀
Knowing we (I went with a couple of mates) weren’t rushing home afterwards and had the rest of the day to sit in the pub wearing matching finishers tops and medals definitely helped get me around the course!!
Sorry missed the pom pom call, but sounds like an interesting run. Also nice when you feel you could have gone faster, and as you say, you will on another day.💪
Thanks Hedgehogs123 It definitely made me think about maybe trying to get some speed back. I’ve an Autumn half marathon pencilled in and I think I may use that as incentive to make an effort!
I've only just seen your post - really enjoyed reading it so thanks for posting. Glad you enjoyed the whole experience and ran a great time despite the crowds and carnage. Beers afterwards must have been the perfect end to a great outing. Brilliant!
Really was a fantastic event, some fab pubs on the way back to the station too. Nothing planned now until probably the Southend 10K at the beginning of October but i think I’m going to work back through the NRC HM plan as I quite enjoyed bits of it
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