On Sunday 16th September a small
group of Grantham Running Club athletes made the short trip down the A1 for the
Rutland marathon and half marathon. The trails and paths around the reservoir
make for some stunning views across the water and offer runners the chance to
spot some of the wildlife that call Rutland their homes. The route started at
Sykes lane and goes clockwise around the reservoir before looping back. After
passing the Sykes lane car park the half marathoners then make a final 180 turn
soon after with a couple of miles to go in order to complete the 13.1 miles.
Full marathoners continue through the Barnsdale car parks and the around the
peninsula before making the run for home.
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| Chris - Runner up |
The
events have increased massively in popularity over the past three years and on
race day there were double the participants compared to 2017 across the half
and full marathons. Such were the queues to collect numbers and drop bags that
both races were delayed by about 15minutes. When the start did come runners
soon crossed the dam and began running clockwise around the reservoir the
athletes were greeted with strong gusty headwinds and faint drizzle in the air.
The rain cleared but the winds remained leaving runners having to deal with
another challenge on top of completing the distance.
In the full marathon GRC had
third place finisher from 2017 Matthew Williamson hoping to put in a solid
well-paced run similar to that which helped him podium last year.
Unfortunately, through a combination the unrelentingly windy conditions taking
their toll and missing a turning meant he crossed the line in a still none too
shabby 3:47:18. Following closely behind was Russell Love whom was taking part
in his first ever marathon. Despite struggling from 20miles (which even a
seasoned marathon runner will find happening) he finished a truly commendable
3:47:54. Given the conditions and the twists/turns/hills of the peninsula this
was a very impressive debut and hopefully not his first 26.2 miles in the green
and black of GRC. The same could also be said for new member Clive George whom
completed the marathon in 4:57:30 which placed him 11th in his age category.
Also
running the marathon was Chris Limmer. When he last ran the event in 2016 he
was in the leading group only for a lack of long training runs to take its toll
before dropping back massively. This time he approached it a little more
cautiously and decided to take the race at a comfortable pace which it was
hoped would leave him coming off the peninsula with 6 miles to go with enough
in the tank to gain rather than lose positions. As it transpired he passed
15miles in 5th and picked up a place without having to up the pace too much
during the next 9 or so miles. Coming into the final mile he felt happy to be
coming into finish 4th in a marathon. However, as he crested the last hill of
note he spied an athlete whom he thought was a marathoner. Sensing his chance
of a podium he picked up the pace and cruised by and used the choice words the
runner said to himself as motivation to up the pace further. A direct consequence
of speeding up was that the runner in second began getting nearer. Entering the
final straight it was a sprint for the line. With metres to go Chris eeked
ahead. Chris was overjoyed with finishing second and the time (5 minutes
improvement on 2016). He felt glad that he could add to the haul of trophies
which GRC had collected during September and on a real high for future races in
the final months of 2018.
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| Kate's first Half |
All in
all the small band of GRC runners were pleased with their performances and
really enjoyed their morning run by the reservoir.
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