North Lincs Half Marathon Race Report by Richard Carter

Race Date : Sunday 6th May 2018

A few weeks prior, a bank holiday weekend in Scunthorpe had seemed a good a bet as any for tepid conditions which would permit a fair crack at a half marathon PB. The long cold winter had meant hardy training conditions up and down the ice clad hills of Sheffield. However, for those of us who lined up on the start line at 9am we had one eye on the already quite high and very warm, large, yellow thing in the sky. With temperatures nudging towards the 20’s the run across the open expanse of flat countryside across North Lincs became quite a challenge the more the morning went on.

Having recently watched Callum Hawkins struggle in the Commonwealth games marathon and then read of the travails of those Striders taking part in London, I was mindful that heat + long distance running are not always a good combination. I’d made a squiggle on the back of my hand (surely it wouldn’t wash off?!) as to the location of the water stations and battled on regardless. The many drains and water inlets that run alongside the fields started to appear quite enticing for a quick dip to cool off in. I managed to stick to expected pace until a quite literal country mile between 10-11 seemed very long indeed. Discretion is the better part of valour in these conditions and I eased off in the last 2 miles to enjoy the stadium finish at Quibell park. I came last year as a spectator with the family and found it a very friendly gathering with a real community feel – the locals rightly proud of an inclusive, well drilled event.

1561 runners completed the 13.1 miles. Daniel Kestrel of Rotherham Harriers and AC was the first man home in 1h 10m 43s. The first woman home was Rachel Robinson, of Marshall Milton Keynes AC, in 1h 20m 30s.
11 Striders took part. See Vicki McAuley’s report here  for details.

Not a cloud in sight.

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