Bournemouth Marathon Festival

Started in 2013, this weekend of running has become a firm favourite on the south coast running calendar. With 4 distances on offer as well as 4 junior fun runs taking place, the appeal is across the board.

Steve Rumsey kicked off proceedings in the “Supersonic 10k” at 4pm on Saturday. Touted as being fast, flat and perfect for a pb, the race starts and finishes within the Victorian splendour of the 19th century Lower Gardens. Heading east along Undercliff Drive toward Boscombe before they made a sharp turn onto the seafront. Uniquely the course then goes up and down not one but 2 piers as they make their way along the shore and back to Lower Gardens.

Steve gave the race his usual 100% effort to finish in a nippy 39.40 giving him 49th overall and 3rd V50.

Not worn out Steve lined up at dusk to take on the “Supernova 5k”. Starting at 7pm, the organisers encourage a real party atmosphere as they tell competors to grab as many supporters and as many fluorescent, flashy things as you can. 

Into the sunset the runners dashed out onto Undercliff Drive before turning as they approached Boscombe Pier onto the seafront. Blasting along, the course then, like the 10k, goes up and down the Victorian Pier before returning to Lower Gardens.

Showing no signs of the afternoons excertion, he finished in 20.35 taking 37th overall and 2nd in his age category. 

The next day it was the turn of Super duo Lucy Deville and Lyn Snow as they stepped onto the startline of the half marathon in Kings Park.

A nice flat out and back run along the seafront to Boscombe and back, also taking in the piers on the way.

“I almost felt guilty” said Lucy “I had in the back of my mind all my clubmates tackling the hills on the IOW marathon at that very same time whilst we were on the flat”

Lucy finished in a cracking 2.25 on the nose taking 2nd V65 in the process. Lyn came over the line with a smile in 2.47.37