Nottingham Marathon - Sun 13th Sept 09
18/09/2009 by Ivan.
Well I didn’t run, but Marianne did.
The pair of us set out for the East Midlands badlands this weekend as Marianne had decided that she’d like another crack at the Nottingham marathon. We both ran this last year, but I’m older and wiser so took on supporting and cheering this time. This is a very well organised big city race, with both a marathon and half marathon running simultaneously.
The day began with almost perfect conditions, a cool temperature and patchy cloud to keep the sun at bay. After much trials and tribulations about which shoes, socks, gels, water bottles, pills, ipods and things to take, she was ready to join the 1,300 marathon runners and 7,000 half-marathon runners. I must check to see whether deciding which shoes to wear 15 mins before the start is in the text book?
I had an entertaining day, doing interval sprints around Nottingham to cheer in as many places as possible. I did get one or two strange looks as I went flying past people in jeans. At mile one Marianne was looking comfortable and gave a quick wave. The leading Keynans were obviously being a feeling a bit grumpy as they didn’t wave. But then I guess you wouldn’t if you’d just run the first mile in 4:50!
One of the worst parts of the course is when the half-marathoners turn for the finish, and the marathoners have to start a second, different, loop so I stationed myself here to keep them going. Marianne ran past looking good and shouted out something about her half way time. I thought it sounded good, but didn’t really catch it, as I was trying to decide which the best looking burger stall was. Well, a supporter’s got to keep well fuelled!
Marianne said that the support around the course was excellent, especially for the marathon runners in the second half. Her supporting highlight, apart from my cheering obviously, was the two or three groups who shouted: “Come on Chepstow”, shortly followed by “Where is Chepstow?”
For some foolish reason I then went to cheer at 24 miles, where I soon remembered why I wasn’t running. The pain and suffering on some people’s faces brought it all flooding back. Fortunately, not everyone was struggling as Marianne came storming past me, looking strong.
After a quick sprint across to the finish, I saw flying down the home straight overtaking a couple of women who’d almost collapsed to claim a top-10 female placing and a PB by about 10 minutes. She ran an excellently paced race, going through halfway in 1:38 and maintaining that pace to finish in a gun time of 3:17:41, although her chip time was over a minute quicker. Destroying my PB and a few other male harrier PB’s as well I should imagine! Marianne also came very close to breaking the longest standing female club record, her gun time was just 3 seconds slower than Sue Ashton’s 21-year old female club marathon record!
In summary, a well organised and supported big city race, and an excellent day out for us which we both enjoyed with Marianne running another cracking marathon.
PS I see from the official results that fellow harrier Royston Toon also ran again this year. Sorry I would have cheered if I’d seen you, hopefully you had a good race.
Comment from Marianne:
I recommend the course for anyone interested in doing a city marathon/half. The only problem with doing the marathon is the split at 13 miles, which can be a bit hard work when everyone is shouting ‘only a few metres to go’! The 2nd half is generally flat and out in the country a bit but there was still some good support (plenty of water and sugary things available).
Matt did a great job on supporting - he kept me going when I was going through some rough patches.
