Swansea Half Marathon 25th June
By Jo Cartwright
I'd entered Swansea half after running London with the idea it would be easy in comparison, and fun to run in the sun by the sea. Well as it turned out I underestimated it on both fronts.
A well organised and good value race, with good e mail info prior to the event. The day dawned and it was not the sunny June I'd had in mind, but a wet miserable one. But after Mart dropping me off I found the start easily and was soon off along the route. A pleasant route on closed roads out on road and back along the prom. After a couple miles the Welsh weather treated us to quite hot sun a bit of a shock after a shivering start. But into my stride I carried on to be joined by Gayle Stevens for a mile just before the turnaround point. She whizzed off and I was soon on my way back to town with lovely views all along the sea. Next weather was a sea breeze ok but all a bit odd in the space of 2 hours. It was a little lacking in support and considering it's award winning wasn't quite as amazing as I'd read about or expected. Just a mile or so to go as you run around the marina and back to the finish in the city centre. A bit of a sprint and I was done. A little harder than I'd expected maybe weather played a part or just thinking a half would be easy after a full marathon. I enjoyed the route, nice tee shirt and medal and well organised
Phil Goodwin 1:30:04
Gayle Stevens 2:10:53
Jo Cartwright 2:25:10
I'd entered Swansea half after running London with the idea it would be easy in comparison, and fun to run in the sun by the sea. Well as it turned out I underestimated it on both fronts.
A well organised and good value race, with good e mail info prior to the event. The day dawned and it was not the sunny June I'd had in mind, but a wet miserable one. But after Mart dropping me off I found the start easily and was soon off along the route. A pleasant route on closed roads out on road and back along the prom. After a couple miles the Welsh weather treated us to quite hot sun a bit of a shock after a shivering start. But into my stride I carried on to be joined by Gayle Stevens for a mile just before the turnaround point. She whizzed off and I was soon on my way back to town with lovely views all along the sea. Next weather was a sea breeze ok but all a bit odd in the space of 2 hours. It was a little lacking in support and considering it's award winning wasn't quite as amazing as I'd read about or expected. Just a mile or so to go as you run around the marina and back to the finish in the city centre. A bit of a sprint and I was done. A little harder than I'd expected maybe weather played a part or just thinking a half would be easy after a full marathon. I enjoyed the route, nice tee shirt and medal and well organised
Phil Goodwin 1:30:04
Gayle Stevens 2:10:53
Jo Cartwright 2:25:10
Ludlow 10k 8th July
by Jo Cartwright
This was something different a new Saturday night race, 2 laps around Ludlow what was there not to like. Quite a lot as it turned out.
Hazel and I set off in plenty of time, as despite this being an expensive race £23 they'd not sent out the numbers. First problem the number and chip collection was badly organised and only 4 portaloos at the race hq. Ok so we set off after a race briefing we could not hear a word off. We knew the course would be hilly in Ludlow but when the race advertises as all inclusive, ideal for beginners and fun. You don't expect to be heading into very hilly uneven forest within the first mile, ok I know I'm a bit wimpy with off road but this was really tough stone steps a very steep descent and sheer drops. All added too by having the leading men charging by whilst you're negotiating said challenges. This was really dangerous and quite scary at times. We soon realised this joyous off road was interspersed with stretches of road running but too many "round the man and the cone" to get any rhythm. Water station was appalling manned by small children offering an inch of water in a cup, far from ideal on a hot July night with a lap already over distance we're now at almost 4 miles. On to lap 2, now comes the realisation having been through the forest three times already there's some problem as my Garmin is telling me it's a mile to go but no such luck as we have the whole town and hill to complete again, I didn't take up the water offerings this time round. Never been so glad to finish a 10k that measured over 12 and in my opinion was badly organised from the outset.
So after an extra forest lap due to Mr Marshall not being able to count we collected a nice medal, shocking goody bag, no tee shirt, half a blackened banana and a sausage roll all in all a great Saturday night out in Ludlow ideal for 2 vegetarians.
Definitely not on our list of repeat races, sorry Ludlow but must try harder particularly at that price !!
This was something different a new Saturday night race, 2 laps around Ludlow what was there not to like. Quite a lot as it turned out.
Hazel and I set off in plenty of time, as despite this being an expensive race £23 they'd not sent out the numbers. First problem the number and chip collection was badly organised and only 4 portaloos at the race hq. Ok so we set off after a race briefing we could not hear a word off. We knew the course would be hilly in Ludlow but when the race advertises as all inclusive, ideal for beginners and fun. You don't expect to be heading into very hilly uneven forest within the first mile, ok I know I'm a bit wimpy with off road but this was really tough stone steps a very steep descent and sheer drops. All added too by having the leading men charging by whilst you're negotiating said challenges. This was really dangerous and quite scary at times. We soon realised this joyous off road was interspersed with stretches of road running but too many "round the man and the cone" to get any rhythm. Water station was appalling manned by small children offering an inch of water in a cup, far from ideal on a hot July night with a lap already over distance we're now at almost 4 miles. On to lap 2, now comes the realisation having been through the forest three times already there's some problem as my Garmin is telling me it's a mile to go but no such luck as we have the whole town and hill to complete again, I didn't take up the water offerings this time round. Never been so glad to finish a 10k that measured over 12 and in my opinion was badly organised from the outset.
So after an extra forest lap due to Mr Marshall not being able to count we collected a nice medal, shocking goody bag, no tee shirt, half a blackened banana and a sausage roll all in all a great Saturday night out in Ludlow ideal for 2 vegetarians.
Definitely not on our list of repeat races, sorry Ludlow but must try harder particularly at that price !!