This was the first time I had participated in this race and was very excited for this one.  My family and I had been down to the finish line at the pier the night before and saw the night run that was part of the festival and I had a slight hint of jealousy that I wasn’t taking part in that also.

I was very excited about the course, seeing on the route guide and promotional material that we would run up and down a pier and I could not wait.  The course guide appeared to be a bit backwards and forwards on itself, but this would help Mrs A and the two boys navigate themselves and see me at multiple points.

We arrived at the race hub to a slightly subdued and calm atmosphere.  There was an MC over the speakers telling us all what we needed to do, final race logistics and other helpful information, the usual you get from race start lines.  It was very informative and very helpful so well done to the team there.

A short walk to the start line and again it was very quiet, even though we didn’t get round to it particularly early.  I was in the red pen, behind the blue elite and the white pen, which I found surprising as I thought my sub 3:30:00 prediction time would have had me further towards the front. The pens were starting to fill up and at 10:00 we were off!

The first few miles of the race start in rural areas and the local support was nice, not loud and roaring but subtle.  These miles at times seemed a bit hilly and undulated, but the pace was quick and steady at the front of the pack.  There was a number of turns and coming back on ourselves before mile 9 when we were down on the seafront.

Although on the seafront, there wasn’t much sea breeze and the weather was starting to get warm. We ran past some beautiful little beach huts and a lot of the residents were out cheering us along.  The first real wall of noise we encountered was at mile 12, just before we left the seafront and headed into some woodlands.  I think the main wall of noise came from Mrs A and the boys, but the energy from everyone else there gave all of the other runners around me a life too.

We looped around the 12 mile mark before heading down a steep down hill at mile 13, heading back towards the point I had seen my family.  The added loop and double back had made the 12 mile mark become also the 15 mile mark and the repeat support was wonderful.  This was the first pier we ran up and around and the bouncing wooded floor was a welcome break from the concrete we had run on.

It was now starting to get very warm as we made our way to the Bournemouth pier itself.  The crowd support here was great, really willing everyone along as we made our way around the second pier and up to the 17 mile mark.  This was a very steep hill and the added heat was making this a very difficult climb with a lot of people stopping to walk.  At the top, the scenery and atmosphere changed and we were now running around quiet, country like lanes.  These country roads may have been quiet and with not much scenery, but the trees added some much needed shade from the seemingly scorching conditions.

Back down the sea front for mile 20 and what seemed like a long last 10km.  This wasn’t a long stretch due to being tired, it was long as it seemed to be just more seafront which went on forever.  There was nice break around the 23 mile mark where we circled a marina type area before going back along the seafront that we had already gone down.  I was on course for around the 3:20:00 mark, although I was now starting to notice a lot of people collapsing and being taken ill in the heat.  I was also starting to overtake a lot of people and I don’t think it had a lot to do with my ability, but more to do with how others were feeling.  I decided I did not want to take any chances and reined it in slightly, just about quick enough so I’d comfortably finish under 3:30:00, but not quick enough so that I didn’t start feeling dizzy and get ill.

The last mile was magic.  One group cheered me and I punched the air as a thank you.  This created a Mexican wave type effect and as I was running more people were now really cheering me on.  For the last few steps I was soaking in the atmosphere and was just high-fiving everyone, like a pro-wrestler entering the ring.  A big cheer from Mrs A and the boys and I crossed the line in 3:24:59 and a provisional 115th place finish out of 2034.  Not my quickest, but I wasn’t taking any chances.

The medal and the goody box afterwards was wonderful and a real treat.  The box was a beautiful little purple surprise, with a finishers shirt and cool and heat gels for my sore knees.  Head and shoulders the best goody box I’ve had at the end of a race.

One thing I have to criticise is the amount of people on the course towards the end of the race.  One man and his female friend stopped in the middle of the course and it was us runners who shouted at him to get out of the way, not the stewards.  Also, for a marathon that is trying to grow, the course needed to be roped off for longer sections, the last two miles were spent running around people who were aimlessly walking on the course.  I’m not criticising the people on the seafront, just maybe a bit better marshalling to ensure the route was as clear as possibly could be.

Conclusion: I really enjoyed this race, a few mistakes that could be ironed out and maybe vary the route, but a very good race.

PS The Michael Jackson greatest hits at the finish line was brilliant!