Nicky was also busy this Sunday .. When you Move Hackney Moves ..
Results:
Pos GenPos Runner CatPos Time
1stM Sam Bramwell 1:09:17
1stF Molly Bryan 1:19:30
2938 406F Nicky Mowat 4 F60 1:45:46
4464 Will Cross 1:52:18
30,000 runners
Here is her report……
Last year before Christmas I signed up for the Hackney Half with my daughter and son in law. In the meantime my daughter had the excuse of being pregnant so our team was reduced to two.
The start reminded me of the London marathon – a long walk from the tube (this time Stratford) and a festival feeling in the Olympic Park, where thousands of runners gathered. There was the usual extensive queue for the loos and baggage drop. The sun was already beating down when we made our way to the Pens for a 9.00 am start.
The route took us down Mare Street through a carnival of sound, past the famous Town Hall. We then headed through the historic Broadway Market and then through Hackney Wick which is flush with vibrant street art. The run also included crossing over twelve canals and rivers.
Our tactic was to tuck in (or at least keep in sight) the 1.45 pacer. At one point I was ahead of the two pacers but then after an incline in the blazing sunshine I dropped back and the pacers disappeared off. I consoled myself with the thought that they had actually crossed the line a few minutes before me. Looking at my watch I seemed to be doing ok – 48 mins for 10k. I tried to stay in the shade where possible and step up the pace on the downhills. It was a relatively flat course but any incline seems like a mountain in the heat especially after ten miles.
We were entertained by numerous bands and music, the streets were lined with spectators. I kept reminding myself that this wasn’t the London marathon and that I could stop after 13.1 miles!
As I turned into the home strait another 1.45 pacer came alongside and I actually finished with her.
The race was brilliantly organised, plenty of water stations (just paper cups), sprinklers and first aid attendants. In the heat I saw a few casualties. I expected a t-shirt at the end so hadn’t brought one to change into. Obviously I hadn’t ticked the box and paid for it so had to come home sweaty. My legs were cramping up towards the end but the long walk back to the tube helped and so did a pub lunch with Pimm’s on the river!
Nicky