The Chris Hoy Half-Marathon
Sean Kelly writes :-
The publicity for this race made it sound enticing, it said,
“The picturesque Firth of Forth coastline forms the backdrop to this scenic 2nd running of the Chris Hoy Half Marathon. From a race track beginning inside Meadowbank Stadium, the route takes runners out of the City to the Firth of Forth coast at Portobello before heading southwards along the coastline to a grandstand finish at Musselburgh Racecourse.”
My main memory of this race will be the biting wind blowing into the face of the runners for most of the first ten miles – hopefully the wet conditions negated any ill-effects from the volcanic dust in the air! The Scotsman newspaper described the race taking place on, ”a dreich Edinburgh morning.”
David Daniels called for me at 6am on Sunday morning and we set off for the race as part of our preparations for the full marathon, also in Edinburgh on May 23rd. The journey in David’s car was smooth although that could not be said for some of his musical choices! Still, he got us safely and quickly up to Edinburgh. We arrived at 8 o’clock and entered the stadium for the beginning of the race.
We were able to warm up on the track and both of us were feeling in good shape and optimistic, believing the cool drizzle would help us towards quick times.
The start was very well-organised; we walked to the line with others aiming for a sub-1-30 time. We were both only inches from the start line when the gun fired and we were afforded a clear run from the very beginning. The first two miles we ran at sub-5-50 pace. After 3 miles I noticed that my fellow Wallsend Harrier had dropped off the pack. I didn’t look back but I found out later that he had decided to brave the elements and take his leggings off – apparently it’s illegal to wear such clothing in Scotland! He also thought that he might as well use the toilets while he stopped, so giving me a bit of a head-start.
Between miles 3 and 10 the wind was in your face and the mile splits began to get slower and slower. DD had assured me that at the 9 mile point we would turn back and run towards the finish at the Musselburgh Racecourse. I was desperately holding on and looking for the 9 mile marker. However, when I reached this longed for point of shelter there was no sign of any turning point! The next mile was the hardest mile I can remember running. My thighs were stiffening and my lungs were reaching bursting point. Then, like a mirage, I spotted the turning point up ahead at the 10 mile marker. The relief of escaping the draining wind was immense and I began to think that I might make it back to the finish.
My last 3 miles were the quickest of the 13 and as I entered the stadium I heard a big cheer. Assuming that there must have been some Wallsend Harriers in the stadium I raised my arm, only to turn and see that the 1st woman was only a few seconds behind me and the officials wanted to move me to the side so that she could run through the winner’s banner!
I was delighted to run my fastest time for more than 7 years and, in my first inter-club race as a vet, secured 4th position in the over-40 category.
David had lost the best part of two minutes at the 3 mile point but still finished strongly in a time of 81 minutes and 31 seconds in 27th place.
Inverclyde youngster Andrew Douglas won the race by almost six minutes in a new course record of 67 minutes 37 seconds.
The 23-year-old enjoyed the biggest winning margin in the event's history after leading from the start at Meadowbank Stadium before churning out five-minute miles with metronomic precision, out along the Forth coast to Prestonpans and back to the finish.
"I just focused on the lead car and kept an eye on my splits because I had a target time in mind," explained a drenched Douglas to the Scotsman newspaper.
"I was hoping to get under 68 minutes, but it was really tough. Conditions were difficult, but I got great support out on the course, especially in the last three miles.”
All in all David and I thought it was well worth the 300 mile trip, the rain and the cold. However, I could have done without the ‘music’ of ‘Ernie’ by Benny Hill and ‘The Funky Gibbon’ by The Goodies to soundtrack our journey home.
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