This was my first time completing Manchester marathon and what a great race it was! I decided to choose this race as I saw it was advertised as a fast flat course and I thought to myself that sounds ideal to me! I got the tram from Manchester to old trafford which didn't take too long and it was a very cold crisp morning. The baggage drop was farily easy and quick. I heard last year that there was a big queue to pick up baggage but it appears they have improved on that this year and there were no problems.

The course is definitely flat and it isn't too challenging. The first half is mostly flat, the second half had some inclines but it was nothing too difficult! There are plenty of water stations and energy gel stations. There are lots of crowds cheering you on especially when approaching the finish line. The only downside with this course is it isn't very scenic and I find after a while you do have to put music on to keep things interesting. This course is PB potential and I would definitly do it again!

My half marathon time was 2.00 which is my fastest ever time and I wasn't expecting that. My previous marathon time 6 months ago was 4.38. I was expecting to get around 4.30 or maybe 4.25 at a push. I was able to do around 9 minute mile for around 20 miles and I was really pleased with that. My time was 4.12, I was really pleased with that! I got a PB of 27 minutes and I was no way expecting that, I was over the moon!

I found the marathon quite easy and I said to myself that was actually an easy marathon! I didn't seem to struggle at any point, I didn't seem to get any aches or pains, overall it was a really good race.