This marathon and half marathon organised by Maidstone Harriers and Nice Work is only 20 minutes from home for me so surprisingly I haven't run it before.

Friends that have told me it was a fairly tough course with a few 'hills' on the route so I thought doing the half would be a good training run for Beachy Head Marathon 2 weeks later. I entered online late on Friday so had to collect number and timing chip on the day. Ample parking available on site it was a very simple process to collect bits on the day, plenty of room to change and lots of facilities available. After pinning my number on my #ukrunchat vest I headed towards the start area proudly wearing my #visorclub visor and bumped into fellow #teamblack member Michael Avery. Michael is a good runner and also fairly local so it was great to have a chat before we set off, he is also doing Beachy so using Maidstone as a training run.

Pre-race briefing all fairly straightforward and soon we were off. The half and full marathon all Head off together with it being either a 1 or 2 lap event. The route is on the outskirts of Maidstone set amongst the quieter country lanes, apart from a small amount of traffic the route is fairly quiet and picturesque. Crossing through various small villages the support on the course was ok but not huge, it was a beautiful morning so people had come out to watch. Numerous aid stations were more than sufficient and the marshals on the course were brilliant. Haven't run many Half marathons of this size with that many marshals directing us and keeping us safe, absolutely brilliant. There are a few out and backs on the route which I don't mind, being a nosy runner it gives you chance to see faster runners on the course, I did see Michael early on looking strong. Also saw lots of "Selfie Sunday" runners of Maidstone on the course in their distinctive t-shirts which was great to see. People you speak to on Twitter but don't necessarily know!

Everyone had told me about a tough hill between 8 and 9 miles and yes it was tough, a number of people walking and it did slow me down but I managed to run all the way. To be honest it felt like the whole route was either climbing hills or descending hills of some sort, very little flat along the route. Heading towards the finish and seeing some of the marathon runners turning off for a second lap I was pleased to be nearly done! Altogether a decent test ahead of Beachy Head. Completed the course in just over 1.45 and felt strong at the end, overall fairly happy. Collected my medal which is absolutely brilliant and was given a useful goody bag and buff. Both have the tag line "I eat hills for breakfast". Saw Michael at the end and he had run well, got a couple of pics and agreed to meet up at Beachy. Also saw James Lambert one of the race organisers and had a quick catch up with him.

Headed back to the HQ to collect my bag and then had a complimentary massage put on the by ESO which was a great touch and useful indeed.

Overall I really enjoyed this event, tough little course but brilliantly organised, great medal and one I will definitely do again. Good job