October 24th 2015
Results:
1st Stuart Mills / Gun time 3.08.06 / Chip time 3.08.05
8th Sarah Swinhoe / Gun time 3.23.48 / Chip time 3.23.44 / 1st female
387th Gail Hill / Gun time 4.36.30 / Chip time 4.36.16 / 71st Female
Finishers 1,425 (8.52.24)
This is by far the best race I have done to date and probably the toughest, most challenging one too!
The 26.2 miles are all off-road with terrain including wooded tracks, grass, muddy/rocky paths, bridges, numerous styals (cruel), 300 steps (yes again cruel and nicknamed the 'Stairways to Heaven' in my mind they certainly weren't called that) and those nasty evil 'Seven Sisters' in the last 7 miles .. Killers !!! The views – if you dared to take your eyes off where you were running – were stunning (I managed to sneaked just the odd look).
The race was fantastically organised from registration to finish, the course was well marked out, marshalled and certainly had the best check points I have ever experienced .. 5 in total each including a selection of drinks, pork pies, sausage rolls, hot cross buns, bananas, Mars bars .. A feast could have been had, but for athletes like myself I just nibbled ;-)
The route was fantastic, very undulating, the climbs were tough and seemed relentless at times, the ups sometimes seemed actually easier than the downs as you really had to concentrate hard not to fall. I can't talk too much now about the 'Seven Sisters' as those hills have traumatised me, there's just one word for them… steep – and that's keeping it polite ;-)
One thing I do need to complain about though, something I do feel quite cheated by, is I have been lied to… It's not 3,500' of ascent it was blinkin' 3,752'.. That's what my watch clocked anyhow!!! ;-)
Fantastic weekend – couldn't have done it if it hadn't of been for Julie getting me hooked on those hills in Lyme Park helping her train for the OCC. I was sad Julie decided not to run but I know it was the most sensible decision, couldn't have done it without her though… She's the best, my chief supporter – thanks a million for still coming all the way to Eastbourne with me :-)
Seriously if anyone wants an off-road hilly marathon… Do it! … I am now a converted hill runner !!!!
Gail
PS Beachy Head Marathon 3,752' ascent… BOOM! 🙂
Fantastic achievement Gail.. Well done !
Fair play to you, my little friend! What a great achievement. Well done.
Well done, Mrs. Hilly! You have smashed my time when I ran the Severn Sisters Marathon over the same course in 1995 in 4 hours 56 minutes. I ignored advice, and started by running up all the hills, until my quads turned to jelly after 19 miles. At one stage, I was 30 minutes ahead of my sister, but she went by me with half a mile to go because I had so much cramp. At least, I got inside the 5 hour limit for finishers to go on the results sheet.
Trevor
absolutely brilliant achievement – well done Gail 😀
Congratulations Gail, I bet the achievement is all the sweeter for the extra 252 feet, bargain!
Well done indeed, I am very impressed!