Described as a "fast-paced" run I had hoped that this would mean a flat course, particularly as this year the organisers had emphasised how they had changed the route in order to make it flatter. The course actually took me 40 minutes longer than my most recent marathon!

This was far from flat! No, there were not sheer mountainous climbs, but we were constantly running up and down to get through underpasses or over bridges. I appreciate that this cannot be helped in a city such as this but it is misleading to describe it as it was.

It was also a fairly hot day. Water stations every three miles would seem plenty to me in normal circumstances but not on a day like yesterday. More stations or larger bottles would be better!

On the plus side, there were a few pretty things to look at, the finish in the stadium had a great atmosphere and the t-shirt is awesome.

I probably won't run this again.