It's a very well organised race and I feel lucky to run two brilliantly organised and supported races on two successive weekends (with the Ealing half a week before).
We stayed the night before with my wife's sister who lives a 15 minute drive outside of Chester in Frodsham. I woke up at 7am and got my race gear on, ate a couple of pieces of toast and then we drove to the racecourse in Chester. There was a mist that wouldn't last for long but for now it meant that the weather was cool and I joined the rest of the race goers on the course waiting for the off.
After the inevitable queue for the toilet (I never really need to go but I always feel that I should go) I settled myself in to the 3:45 pen. I wanted to get in under 4 hours with an ambition of getting round in under 3:45. No real pressure but nice to achieve if I could.
My wife took a photo of me just before I headed in to the running pen.
 |
| Ready to run! |
The Chester town crier gave an amusing speech to rally the troops and then we were off. We swept around the race course and then up a hill into the town centre itself. There were crowds everywhere cheering us along as we ran through the centre, under the famous Chester clock (you know, the one from the opening titles of Hollyoaks!) and then out over the Dee towards Handbridge. It's a familiar route for me as I used to run it as part of my training runs when I stayed in Chester (also, because I've run the last three Chester marathons). The mist burned away and the sun stayed out in clear skies for the rest of the race. Maybe I should have brought my cap. Nevermind, too late to do anything about that now.
The course runs out through small villages in the nearby Chester countryside as well as several miles through Wales. At each village crowds would gather and cheer you on, some would have music playing, jelly beans were proffered and children held their hands out for high fives (which I tried to oblige them with!),
Every 3 miles or so there were drinks and gel stations. I decided to go on a gel every five miles strategy and every time I thought I'd need one a station would appear out of the distance just in time! The stations were well manned by volunteers holding out proper bottles with sports tops on (so much better than paper cups!).
At half way the course ran back on itself slightly so you could see other runners in the opposite direction. This always gives a little lift to tired legs although knowing that they've run about two more miles than you can make you somewhat jealous.
I felt fine and decided to pick up the pace ever so slightly. I was on course for sub 4 easily so I thought maybe if I just increased my speed I could get under 3:45. Two years ago I was going for sub 3:30 and picked up my pace at half way but it backfired as I had to walk much of the last two miles. This time though time was not so important so I figured I could risk it.
At about 18 miles the course merges with people who were running the metric marathon (26.2km). It meant that the course got a little more crowded but not so much that I couldn't run my pace.
I managed to avoid hitting the wall and the course started to head back in towards Chester and the finish line at the race course. Before then though there were a couple of hills to master. I say hills but in reality they are slopes, they just appear to be hills after running 24 miles. I noticed more people walking but I was determined to keep my legs ticking over. After getting up the final slope/hill on Sandy Lane with the enthusiastic encouragement of the volunteers and crowd it's pretty much a 1 mile run along the river and back into the race course.
At the sign for 400m to go I checked my watch to see how I was doing. 3:42:30. I know I can run 400m in less than two and a half minutes so I was going to make my A goal. I entered the race course and saw the finish line 300m off into the distance. No matter how little 300m can seem, at the end of a marathon it looks so far away. I stuck my head down, lifted my legs and picked up the pace again. With 200m to go I decided to sprint. I pegged along, faster and faster and saw the 3:45 pacers just ahead. I raced past one and caught up with the other right on the finish line. I punched the air and stopped my watch - 3:44:10. Then I felt like throwing up. Actually felt like throwing up. Started to throw up! I managed to move past the volunteers handing out water and was helpfully move by a St. John's Ambulanceman off to the side where he told me to let it out. So I did. And I felt much better. I've never thrown up after running before, must have been the effort of the sprint at the end. A swig of water and I collected my medal and went through the finishing chute to pick up an excellent long sleeve training top (perfect for the winter, Chester always give great tops) and a goody bag full of sweets, nut bars and porridge.
My wife had turned up just in time to see me finish and before long we were in the car and on the way to her mother's house so I could freshen up. Another great marathon and one I intend to do again and again.
Here's a video of me finishing the race, thoughtfully provided by Marathon Photos from a camera on the finishing line. You can see me in my blue and white top from about 17 seconds onwards. I thought I was sprinting but it turns out I was merely walking fast!
Here's also my Garmin stats from the race:
All in all an excellent event and one I can totally recommend. A beautiful city and a great race.
