In the build up to the Tall Ships Race being in Sunderland in July, that theme was taken towards the half marathon and run with the ride was adopted as the tag line for the event, appearing on the finishers t-shirt and medal as well. 

The run starts and finishes on Keelman’s square on the opposite side of the road. For the 13.1 mile course you are taken through different parts of the city centre and it is rather amusing at times to see confused people who had started shopping and wondering why so many people were running. 

It is a rather flat course and I have to admit I didn’t remember the hill in the park around mile 11, which was my slowest mile of the whole half marathon. But I still managed to stick close enough to my target pace to finish in 1:57 knocking 7 whole minutes off last years time of 2:04. 

The organisation is brilliant and with the start/finish line so close to the indoor shopping centre you can use the toilets inside if you prefer that over the port-a-loos! That is one of my favourite things, it is very easy to get to the race on the metro as well which should help participation numbers rise in the next few years.

I was ambassador for this race and it really is a very good one to promote and take part in for the second time. I will be back in 2019!