16 February 2014, Wrexham
I've run this one a few times and the organisation is always sketchy but the course is completely flat and the weather is often good which can result in some great times. Unfortunately this was another comedy of errors from Wrexham AAC. The route had been changed to avoid flooded areas but the confusion started on the very first junction. We turned left as instructed only to be stopped after 200m and forced to U-turn back up the road. The first 5 runners were already away but the rest of us then had to rejoin the back of the race. It later turned out that the original left was correct and so practically the whole field ran a longer course of 13.75 miles.
It was sort of fun to gradually work my way past Alan, Janine, The Pauls, Sharon, Charlie Batho. It was hard work and I was impressed how fast everyone was going. By mile 2 I was in a more familiar group with Stuart Doyle, Chris Prior, Jamie Loxam and Matt Smith all pushing the pace and determined to get something out of the day. Three laps of the industrial estate wasn't inspiring but there were some nicer rural sections on the longer last loop. The weather was perfect and it felt like we were flying along although the last long drag back to the club house was hard work.
I didn't have a Garmin but by the finish those around me had clocked over 14 miles. We collected our loaf of Barra Brith and in the manner of Bullseye contemplated the time that we might have got …
In the results below I've calculated the equivalent time for a half based on everyone having run 13.75 miles (except the winner who ran the correct route). Some of us actually ran up to 400m further because of the U-turn.
There was some fine running and intriguing head to head battles from the WRC runners.
1 Tom Charles (Trafford AC) 1:09:47
12 Rob Downs 1M45 1:17:35 [1:13:33]
62 Rob Gilbert 1:27:47 [1:23:23]
63 Sharon Johnstone 2W40 1:27:52 [1:23:26]
88 Craig Hunt 1:30:53 [1:26::21]
95 Paul Garnett 1:31:30 [1:27:06]
97 Janine Ellis 2W45 1:32:00 [1:27:23]
146 Paul Norris 1:37:47 [1:33:06
190 Alan Turner 1:43:22 [1:38:17]
Full results and excuses at http://wrexhamathleticclubraceinfo.webs.com/halfmarathon.htm
Rob
I have run this three times now and only managed to run the correct distance once! It was a shame not to run the the usual route with quiet country roads rather than lapping an industrial estate but at least they managed to put a run on for us despite the flood. We had the same instruction to turn left at the end of the road as the marshall had received. The only problem was by the time the race started he had now turned around to face the runners and sent us to his left rather than ours, how we eventually managed to rejoin the course is a mystery and a miracle. Nice loaf though.
How frustrating for you all 🙁 Some good adjusted times though :-)I’m feeling slightly better about missing this one through injury now. I entered at the last moment and then got my number through the morning after I’d knackered my knee at training. Thought about doing it, but sense prevailed in the end.
Its looking interesting for our 10mile , North wales Champs.
Organised by some of the same people |||
I was was wondering why there is never a large field for it.
Maybe there are lots of bemused runners around Wrexham, still
trying to reach the finish.
Anyone seen reports of abandoned cars near the start.?
Ill check it out a bit more thoroughly
Tony