Full review here

Reason for signing up: Whilst I have run 10 marathon distances in the last few years, most have been as part of other events (Ironman, multi day ultra-events etc.) and to this point I had only run 2 official road marathons (Brighton & Manchester). As part of my training for another Iron distance triathlon later in 2017, I wanted to get another standard road marathon under my belt. As this would be the first really long run this year, signing up for an event that was local (about 20 miles away), reasonably priced and nicely scheduled nearly 3 months prior to triathlon, Milton Keynes Marathon seemed like the perfect event.

Training: I decided that the first couple of months of my iron distance triathlon training plan would be taken up almost entirely with marathon training. I started to work on a training plan to aim for around a 4-hour marathon. I have once gone sub 4 hours (3:58 in Manchester 2016), so I knew I could just about run that pace although I wasn’t too worried about going sub 4 this time. My base level of fitness was pretty good so my SLR’s (Sunday Long Runs) started at about 10 miles at a comfortable 9:15 – 9:30 mile pace. During the week, I would try to get 3-4 lunchtime runs in which were more focused on intensity and interval training. I would mix up the distances, pace and times but some of my favourite interval sessions were:

• Hill repeats: find a hill that would take about 2 minutes to run up and do 10 – 12 intervals of running up and a slow jog down
• Sprint intervals: running flat out for 2 minutes (or perhaps 400 metres) and then a slow jog / walk for 1 minute (200 metres) recovery for 8-12 intervals
• Longer speed sessions: 1 mile slow warm up then 3-6 miles at sub marathon pace (7:30 – 8 minute miles) followed by a 1 mile warm down.

Race review: On race day, I got an early train to Bletchley (the nearest station to the start) from Northampton. The start is at Stadium MK and from the train station was a

little walk (perhaps 1.5 miles) but was well signposted. My race number had been posted prior to the event so all I needed to do was drop my bag and wander to the start which took no time at all. There was a great crowd at the start as well as a DJ, announcer, warm up crew and plenty of things going on for kids and supporters. The first 5 miles or so are around the city centre as you wind you way up, down and around various boulevards, avenues and roundabouts. Whilst not the most spectacular landscape to run through there is at least great support and various bands and choirs to provide musical accompaniment to the running.

After this the scenery improves significantly as you run through picturesque villages, countryside and tow paths. The feed stations were well stocked and came at good intervals.

The final few miles come back into the city as you seem to pass through quite a few underpasses, which are not the most spectacular and can zap the legs in the final stages as you continually run up and down gradual slopes. However, this is soon forgotten as you start to pass quicker athletes walking the other way with their finisher medals proudly hung around their necks and the finish of Stadium MK comes into sight. It’s a great location for the finish as you are greeted by lots of spectators in the run up to the stadium with the announcer cheering you on the last few yards, before entering the stadium and completing a lap of honor in front of a decent crowd at the finish.

Summary: For a city marathon, I’d rate this quite highly. Some of the scenery can be unspectacular early on however, the run through the countryside and villages is nice with the odd landmark to occupy the mind for a while such as the Peace Pagoda, some Roman ruins and of course the infamous concrete cows. The organisation of the race was very slick with no delays in dropping off and collecting bags and the medal and finishers tee were pretty cool!