Chippenham Half - 13th Sept 09

17/09/2009 by Ivan.

Report by Laurie - thanks. 

From the published results 9 runners from Harriers took part with 4 men & 5 ladies competing. Conditions were very good with a 9.30am start avoiding the hottest part of the day with the slightly chill air being warmed by a mainly blue sunny sky.

The organisation of the event, from my limited knowledge, could not be faulted, from being clearly signposted shortly after leaving the motorway to the results being printed & on view minutes after competitors finished through to the awards presentation & conclusion. The largely flat fast course was lined with enthusiastic spectators & helpful marshals at many points along the scenic rural route having started & finished close to the Town centre.

Having run my first ever race in March this year my biggest issue has been pacing myself so as not to finish races close to exhaustion of hospital proportion. Running with Harriers, joining Andy Green on his marathon training & the purchase of a Garmin sports GPS have all helped to temper this a little. This was my most ‘controlled’ effort to date but still meant a drop off in pace in 2nd half of race whereby I could only watch as people of all ages & gender cruised by. Ultimately I was chuffed to do 1:27:52 beating my only other mark in this distance by over 4 minutes this having been during the Llanelli waterside event in the typhoon season earlier this year. Beating my 90minute target was hugely pleasing.

Andy G. was pleased with his time & like myself enjoyed the whole event, this being part of his build up to his next marathon in Jersey. Bill Bewg got in well under 2 hours beating nearly half the field many of whom may have been not far off half his age, for which he earns my respect!

As a ‘newby’ I know nothing of the other Harriers performances relative to their own expectations but hope they enjoyed the event as much as I did.

My special thanks to Brett for offering & providing the wheels & company on the day along with Bill neither of whom I had met until 7am that morning. I would recommend this event to everyone it was exceptional.

For full results ….  http://www.chippenhamhalfmarathon.co.uk/results.aspx

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