I did the 5K on the Saturday with my Hubby and 2 friends and it was easy to use  the baggage drop and toilets as it was all the Echo Arena and the start line was right outside! It was a great race with a lovely atmosphere. The medal was great too!

The next day was the Half / Full marathon and I did the Half which was supposed to start at 9am - due to the huge number of runners (& the fact that I was in a slower corral) we didnt cross the start line until 9.36am! I wasn't too bothered myself but this did delay the start of the marathon and the weather was exceptionally hot (& I was chatting whilst I waited!) so I was parched by the time I got to the 1st drinks station! Luckily after this the drinks stations were pretty regular and very well stocked with water, lucozade and gels. The marshalls were very generally friendly and many were telling us how long to the next water station!

The Bands were pretty good, although a couple of them were in between songs or warming up for the marathon runners!

The course took us around Mathew St & past the Cabin Club, underneath the famous China Town arch and then up (really up!) to Sefton Park, Penny Lane and then onto the Prom at Otterspool. The Prom was the worst section, as you could see the straight run for miles ahead and by this stage it was even hotter and there wasn't much to take your mind off the heat and the pain!

Once finished, there was a fantastic medal to collect and lots of goodies (such as crisps, sweets, lucozade, water, fruit etc) Then it was off to the main square where the main bands were playing. Here you could collect the extra medal for doing 2 races in 2 days and also pick up a free pint of beer! Yum! The atmosphere here was pretty good and we sat in the sun and relaxed with our beer instead of dashing off home!

I will be doing this again next year :)