I ran this event for the first time in 2017 pacing my Wifey Rose and we immediately signed up again for 2018 for a PB attempt for her. Sadly my Wifey is currently injured so I ran this at the pace I was supposed to pace her at sub 9 min miles

Registration was easy and race number was sent out through the post a few weeks before the event along with race briefing.

We made the 2hr drive down on the morning and arrived at 8.10 for the 9am start. We parked 1/4 mile from the pier on the coastal road that is free parking on Sundays and made our way to the start line which is a few hundred yards past the pier.

There is a baggage drop close by but we didn’t need to use this. Also there were toilets close to the start and along the route in the leisure centre 

The start is on the main coastal road and is not segregated into pace times so it got very bunched up. Also no actual start line paraphernalia so you had to look out for the timing mat as you crossed it to start your Garmin.

The organisers decided against having a pace team this year which was disappointing and would have helped control the runners, as being a Pacer we are always asked to get into the start area and space ourselves out so the runners can clearly identify what time you are pacing.

The race started on time and headed out for a mile into a strong headwind before returning back to the start area and then turns off the coastal road and heads into the surrounding Town streets which are closed but some residents were determined to drive on these so you had to be careful and occasionally use the pavements to avoid them!!

Water stations were in cups (my pet hate) and needed a few more helpers as they were all struggling to keep up as runners arrived at them.
Once you circle around the Town streets you come back to the start area at approx mile 7 and then head out again for approx 5K on a gentle incline but against a strong headwind before returning with a downhill and ‘wind assisted’ last 5K - heaven sent

You turn off the coastal road with just under a half mile to go and run this all down the seafront as you approach the finish line by the pier.

The support was very good and the start location allows spectators to see you at the start, as you return at mile 2, again at mile 7 then at the finish line without even having to move. Should you wish to walk 1/2 mile you can see the runners a few more times as they circle around the back streets.

I came home in 1.58.08 which would have been a PB for my Wifey had she not been injured and joined me. I finished 998 place from 1823

The medal was really nice and doubles as a bottle opener (nice touch) and you also got bottled water & a banana but no T-shirt.

This is a flat course and definitely a PB course but this is reliant on the weather as yesterday was extremely windy so it’s a case of ‘fingers crossed’ on the day itself

Gaz #visorclub #teamblack