2017 would be the third time I took part in what is often referred to as my favourite race over any distance.  The Ealing Half marathon is a race that has always had a special place in my heart and after missing it in 2016 due to Dublin Marathon training commitments, I was dying for this race to come.

The Avery fan club of my Dad, Uncle Tony, Harris and Lennon joined me as always and we made our way into Lammas park to wonderfully cheerful greetings from the race marshalls.  After reminding myself of where everything was, most importantly the start line and the toilets, we made our way over to two huge racecheck banners. One advertising the magnificent and courageous #teamblack and the other banner advertising "them" (only kidding, #teamwhite aren't that bad really).  A lovely welcome and incredibly friendly chat from our fellow racecheck members was to follow, as was finally meeting legendary Lee Kemp and his Dad for the first time.  On this occasion I looked past the pale visor on his head and decided that from now on we would be #oneteam.  A group chat and photos followed, as did members from the wonderful ukrunchat who also joined us for the pre-race build up and photos.

I made my way to the start line and nestled in my usual spot, between the 1:25 and 1:30 pacer. I wasn't feeling particularly fast today but felt pretty confident I would finish under the 1:30 mark.  As mentioned, this is my favourite half marathon and the master of ceremony this year was the excellent Susie Chan. Susie and the team got everyone really psyched up for the race and the adrenaline was pumping.

We were given the go to start and we all sped out of the gates and into the wonderful streets of Ealing. It may have been because I missed a year, but this race was slightly more hillier than I remembered, but still a pretty fast course and one I was going to attack.  Hitting 3 miles in around 20 minutes was slightly quicker than anticipated, but I thought I'd keep the pace and just keep the 1:25:00 pacers within my sights for as long as I could, it was working and I was running really well.

The course may not have the beauty and spectre as some races in woodlands or on trails, but it still is a wonderful area to run through. The organisers have done phenomenally well to get in some lovely landmarks and historic buildings, with some beautiful old churches and other parklands to run through. There were some people playing tennis in one of these parks and I had to do my best to not be distracted by them and not fall over and injure myself. Not that they would care, love means nothing to them after all...

One thing also that will surprise new runners of this race is the support you get from the residents who live here.  They really come out in full force to cheer people on who are running through their streets.  The noise this year was amazing and at one point the collective noise of hundreds of people roaring you along towards the finish line sent a shiver down the back of my neck. One house had Chariots of Fire blaring from their speakers in their driveway, whilst another had Florence and Machine playing. "You took my heart and you held it in your mouth..." came from the sound system and very appropriate it was too, this race was amazing and you can easily fall in love with the surroundings, the townsfolk, the outstanding marshals and the Ealing Eagles who work tirelessly to put so much effort into creating an unforgettable day.  One person told me after the race the noise levels rivalled London Marathon and I had to agree and disagree.  Yes, the noise levels did rival London, but unlike London this seemed so much more personal that these people were here for us and not just the occasion.  It's little things too that make this race so personal and unique and I'd seen birthday signs that the organisers had put up for some runners and also the "Ealing welcomes runner from [insert country put down on application form]".

My race was going well and I had hit 11 miles in just over 1:14:00 so I had plenty of time to play with, until disaster struck.  For the first time ever, I had the worst stitch I've had in my life, at one point was finding it difficult to catch my breath and actually considered stopping for a few seconds. I didn't and limped on for a few more minutes, getting slower and slower and devastated to think I could not give my favourite race my all. After a few minutes I didn't care about the 1:30:00 and was just focusing on trying to finish!  Luckily, I managed to catch my breath again just before the 12 mile mark and regained a slight bit of pace, but not the level I had before.  I re-entered Lammas park to more deafening cheers and people screaming my name to get round the park.  I looked over my shoulder and although within sight, the 1:30:00 pacers were not close enough to me to make me panic so opened up slightly and powered towards the gorgeous green finish line in front of me.  Arms raised, Susie Chan cheering me personally (she's a fan obviously) and a quick jump and punch of the air I had made it home in just under 1:29:00.  Bittersweet time as I thought I would have done a bit quicker, however after the disaster at mile 11-12 I was just happy to get in under 1:30:00.

I picked up my lovely medal, goody bag, bottle of water and my banana and met back up with the Avery fan club l, who had made signs for me to cheer me along.  After composing myself slightly, I made my way back to my new best friends from racecheck and had a great hour chatting about upcoming races, what we have planned in the future and how we found the race.  If anyone is due to a race where racecheck are going to be, make sure you hook up with them before or after. Even though we hadn't met them before the half marathon, you could not ask for a nicer, supportive and more friendly community.  Really look forward to seeing you again soon I hope.  I also caught up again with Lee on the finish line who told me he had got under his 1:40:00 target which I'm delighted about for him.  I will see you on the circuit Lee and hope to meet up with you again soon. Great race today mate.

Conclusion: As Florence and the Machine would say: "Run fast for your mother run fast for your father. Run for your children for your sisters and brothers" and this race makes you do this. If this is your first Ealing or you've done it before, it is the most magical race you can do.  I cannot say how amazing this race is and this will replace any race you have ever done as your favourite.

Ealing, once again you have spoiled us all rotten and outdone yourself again.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.