The Avery Fan club of Dad and Harris were with me this year, but I left them back in the hotel when I went to register on the morning of race.  The number collection was incredibly easy and within ten minutes of getting my number I had also dropped my bag in the bag drop and made my way to the start line.

The start line last year was by the pier, but this year had been moved closer to the Pyramid Centre where we had registered.  At the new start line (which consisted of just a strip for the chip and a couple of railings) we were given the race briefing and were off!  The race is an out and back event and the terrain changes a lot as you are running, so it’s a real challenge.  What also makes this event so tough is the fact that the mile markers are so catastrophically inaccurate that it can throw your race strategy out of the window.  We set off for the ‘out’ section of the race and at a good pace, the leaders were slowly outrunning me, but I had left a good distance with the crowd behind me.  The early few miles of this race are on domestic roads and back alleys, before going off-road and spending the rest of the first half on the beach and trail like pathways.  It was around the five mile mark that we noticed that the mile markers were out.  I was in a crowd of around 4-5 other runners and as we passed the sign we all looked at our watches and noticed that we were actually around the 5.4 mark.  Granted watches and GPS’ aren’t always the most reliable, but when we have different makes of watch telling you the same mileage then there is an argument the markers are out.

Due to the time of year and conditions, the crowd support on the course was minimal, but everyone we did run past was courteous and supportive, which was lovely to receive.  Approaching the halfway point, I knew it would be slightly out due to the previous signage, but the turn point wasn’t actually until 13.5, which meant that the race would be longer than the 26.2 miles advertised.  The way back was obviously the first half just backwards, but it was nice because you knew what to expect.  The course in the latter stages was heavily boggy due to the runners who had ran on it on the first lap, but this only just made it more fun and interesting.  Boggy conditions do slow you down and make you look where you put your feet, but it was very enjoyable never-the-less slipping and sliding all over the place.

Back on the road for the home stretch and although we had done it before and knows what it feels like, it really was a long slog.  It was cold, wet, tiring, but the support again from the spectators and race organisers was brilliant and I finished the race in 3:22:51. A marked improvement on last year’s time and only about 12 minutes off my overall personal best, which I’ll take for a trail marathon which was nearer to the 27 mile mark.

Overall, a good race which I enjoyed, although it was very testing and mentally difficult at times.  Would I do it again? At the time I said no, but after a few beers and good feeling over Christmas.  Maybe I will.....