Race Date: 25th February 2018

Race Report by Emma Brear

Dragons, Welsh Cakes and Crumpets – Three Striders go to Wales!

The quest for a flat and fast February half marathon saw three Striders make the long journey to Wrexham. A busy working week, recent injuries and tiredness from marathon training meant PBs were unlikely, but the promise of a Dragon medal and baked goods provided some much needed motivation!

The Village Bakery Wrexham Half Marathon begins in an industrial estate, heading out on a five mile loop out onto quiet (and rather wiffy) country lanes before passing back through the estate and out for a larger country lane loop of 8.1 miles and into the finish.

There are three car parks for the race, all very close to the start and finish. As they are so close they get filled up very quickly and we were sat in a traffic queue for a good few minutes which then meant we didn’t have long for pre-race loo trips and so didn’t get to warm up! So make sure you’re expected arrival gives you well over an hour until the off. The lanes are also quite cambered in places (this really bothered my back from a few miles in) so that’s also a consideration if that is something that bothers you.

Definitely a PB worthy course for another day! We noted several places of interest on the journey too including Stockport Hat Museum, this was something we also vowed to return for at another time.

2287 runners took part in the race, which was won by Tom Charles of Trafford Athletic Club in 1:08:42. First lady was Sophie Cowper of Rotherham Harriers and AC in 1:17:25. Well done also to our (Strider in spirit) driver Andy Norton on his time of 1:17:25.