The Phoenix Remembrance Day Marathon is still where I got my marathon PB, and whilst I did not anticipate getting anywhere near that time on this occasion, I do have a certain affection for it! It was typically well organised, with plenty of pre-race information provided both on the Phoenix Facebook group and via email.

To accommodate as many runners as possible and remain COVID-secure, the race was first split over more than one day, and then when the November lockdown was announced, brought forward to the day before everything stopped happening again. The flexibility around the Phoenix Running events is astrounding, and it was great that it was possible to be able to get this last race done in the nick of time, and not miss out on yet another occasion.

The course was out and back laps along the bank of the Thame - 8 for the marathon - with the traditional mid-race 'freeze' at 11:00 at the sound of a klaxon. Runners were set off at set intervals in groups of 6 (after having a temperature check), with full instructions provided in advance regarding the protocols of having a buff to cover your face if not able to distance when passing other runners (or other users of the path), and use of the hand sanitisers at the aid station.

The remembrance day medal is always epic, massive and extremely weighty...more of a paperweight than one for the medal hanger!

This is a fantastic event by really friendly organisers. I can’t recommend Phoenix races highly enough after taking part in this race. This was a really special day, with a two-minute pause built into the race for the traditional silence - it was also their 100th race and taking place on the 100th anniversary of the end of WW1, so an extra big medal and a little bonus medal too. Race briefing was thorough and the Facebook group is full of helpful and lovely runners, who love the Phoenix events and what they do. There was free parking and changing facilities at the leisure centre so really easy logistically. It’s an out and back run along the Thames - the weather was perfect on the day but there had been a fair bit of rain leading up to it, so we got nice and muddy! There were aid stations every four miles, so we were never more than two miles from either while going back and forth each time. The food and drink offered was the best I’ve had at any event with a separate section for vegans too, so loads of choice of tasty snacks to keep us going. I will definitely be doing a race with Phoenix again, when I can fit it into my race calendar!