Race Report by Dave Phillips
This event together with the 10k just has to be one of the most spectacular events anywhere, not just because it’s in God’s own country Wales, but because of the views. Not to mention the severity of the half that puts it at the top of the “tough league”.
The start for the 80 or so in the half is near the sea front but soon the climbs start until St. Anne’s Head Lighthouse is reached on the top of the cliffs with the sea a long way below you and sea, coast and land views everywhere. Stunning. You turn her and retrace your steps to Dale. If you decided to carry on and do a biathlon then the next stop is Ireland or America if you go off course. I don’t advise this.
Back in Dale and it’s about 6 miles done but then it is non stop climbing up the coastal lanes to Marlowes, a small village pitched on the top of nowhere but with even more wonderful coastal views.
The upward ascent stops just before the 10 mile mark by which time I was well and truly on my own with maybe one bloke behind me – unless he dropped out. Wouldn’t have blamed him!
The homeward stretch did have some downhill but from 11 miles to the end there are 5 hills-2 severe.
At 12 I couldn’t believe my eyes as there were 2 walking runners in view so I put a spurt on, caught them and left them for dead so at least I wasn’t last.
Great finish on the estuary sea front where mars bars, bananas, sweets and T shirts awaited us plus Robina clanging a bell for me as I crossed the line.
Great atmosphere at the prize giving next to the pub and that’s why we come down to do this year on year.
There used to be a shield for the oldest runner in the half and I won it 4 years ago and did qualify last and this year but the organiser apologised to me saying that although I was again the winner the shield had gone AWOL. Or is that why I come back annually?
Roll on next year. At least Chester marathon next w/e is flat.
Massey time:
Dave Phillips 2 hrs 42 mins.