As I am doing Manchester Marathon as a first Marathon in a few weeks, I decided on taking the sensible option of doing the Half Marathon which was my first event abroad. The weather was fairly warm so it was probably the right decision for an inexperienced runner like myself.

My plan was to try the half option and trial the event for potentially returning next year for the Marathon.

It was a well run and organised event so hats off the organisers.

The course started and finished in the old port/molos park area and was an out and back course with a couple of relatively long inclines between the 6-8 mile area roughly which slowed my down due to my weak achilles/calf. I was hoping for PB but the inclines and probably the weather put a stop to that. The overall flatness would probably help many reach a PB potentially.

Pros:

The event village and start/finish was in a great setting in the old port area and was buzzing throughout the weekend. The afterparty was particularly good and I was loving the DJ banging out the tunes and the band which followed were also very good. This was great and made for a cracking atmosphere throughout the weekend. I also got to meet a few twitter/UKrunchat/runmummyrun folks as well in this area so that was all good.

At the finish you are given a great medal, some ice spray, a massage (I didn't take up this option) and a free cold beer which went down lovely after running in the heat.

A long cheap and very affordable weekend away in the sun with a potential family holiday thrown in to the mix if needed. What's not to love about that.

Cons:

The local support was pretty much zero other than a school cheerleading squad. Not sure if this wasn't down to the early start of general lack of interest. Not sure what the organisers could do about that if I'm being honest.

The marshalls (not the ones at the water stations) were poor really and may as well had not been there. 

Overall a fantastic weekend. Their more than a race slogan definitely is true. Although the running part probably wasn't the highlight, It is a great mix of combining a running event with a great social experience with great weather so I would definitely recommend the event to anyone thinking of going