Couldnt pass up the opportunity to run a half marathon in the City near where I grew up!

Race day started off rather wet and windy, with a lot of people waiting it out in their car for as long as they could before heading to the race village, but the atmosphere once in there remained upbeat and friendly.  

Different bib colours for different predicted race times made for a slightly confusing start as people were let through in groups to trek almost a kilometre to the start line where they were let off in waves.  This worked, once you were through, and would have been great if the speakers had been facing the waiting runners rather than being behind them, as this made it hard to hear instructions. Easily sorted for next time.   

The course was great - out on a long stretch of straight road which was quite lonely, but with beautiful views for miles.  My family were also stationed outside my sisters house (lucky for us that my sister happens to live along the route) so there was a small and very vocal crowd outside with foam hands and banners, which I know were much appreciated by a lot of the runners as there was no one else out spectating along this stretch.  

There then followed a lovely downhill, country lanes, a small track along the canal before heading back into town along the water front.  Unfortunately, the weather probably put off a lot of spectators, but the ones that were there made up for it - very loud and very supportive! 

Back up the one hill which was tough, and it was really lovely to run through the grounds of Lincoln Castle, before the home stretch.  The signs along this last section were a great idea.  The only downside with the route was the last k to the finish - along a backroad into the show ground, through the inflatable from the start which fooled a lot of runners as they had thought this was the finish then had another 800m to go, which was rather soul destroying!

Fab medal, no tshirt, and a lot of random stuff in a goody bag (gel made from freshwater muscles???)! Quavers were genius! Marshalls were excellent and all very cheery.  The only other tweak which would help would be briefing the ones directing traffic on the way out as due to the many road closures, they seemed quite confused and didn't really know where to send people or which roads were affected as they weren't from the area.  Again, easily sorted.  Just give them a map!

 Loved it - we will be back!