Cyprus Marathon and Half

Over 600 Runners from the Uk alone jumped on planes to escape the snow and ice this week, all making their way to the Island of Cyprus to make up 25% of the field at the 20th Cyprus marathon festival.

Amongst those 600, were two of our club’s couples. Jodie and Peter Wilmott took on the half marathon whilst Charlotte and Ian Williams both made their debuts over the full distance.

The half started and finished at the medieval Fort on the harbour in Paphos, voted European capital of culture last year. The mostly flat course wound its way around the city area with 3 out and back branches with the only incline at halfway.

Peter flew round, crossing the line in a tidy 86 minutes to place an amazing 16th overall and winning his V50 age category. Jodie gave it everything to return to the harbour in 102 minutes claiming 14th lady and 4th in her V35 category.

“I was happy with my efforts. I couldn’t have done any more” Jodie said afterwards “it was too harder course to get a pb”

They took advantage of the free beer at the finish line and waited around to cheer in the marathoners.

Starting at Petra Tou Romiou, (Aphrodite’s birthplace), the Williams’ set off on their marathon journey. The first half of their course followed the coast, taking in some beautiful scenery before passing through several traditional villages before entering the final stages in the cosmopolitan resort of Paphos. The palm trees and the luxury hotels adding to the buzz of the finish as the team Williams made their way along Poseidon’s Avenue and to the finish at the quayside Fort.

Charlotte smashed it! Coming home just shy of 4hr 15, giving her a magnificent 22nd lady and 5th in her V40 category. Ian also ran brilliantly crossing the line in 4hr 50.

“We did it! We ran a marathon! I can’t believe it!” said a jubilant Charlotte later on that day “I cried a lot in the latter stages but we are both thrilled to bits…. oh….and my legs hurt!”

And so they should! 26.2 miles is a long old way, although judging by the smiles on their faces, they’ll be running another one again soon.

“We’ve created a monster! Ian is already looking for another race!”