A weekend of running in sunny Bournemouth awaited some of our trusty clubmates.
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.
Michael Douglas and Sara Truckel 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 making 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.
Dynamo Douglas steamed his way around the course returning back to Lower Gardens 36.31 for 17th place overall.
“I was happy with that! Not my quickest 10k, but it was pretty windy down there. I felt in control and the legs didn’t feel too bad at the end. I like running a 10k before a marathon it makes marathon pace seem comfortable. Not long until New York now!”
Sara also ran brilliantly. Having broken her foot in May, Sara had only run 5 miles once since then. She crossed the line in 54.02 with a huge smile on her face.
“It was tough as there was a massive traffic jam into Bournemouth and we only got to the start 15 mins before the first race! Not great race prep! It was ok though and fab weather. After 5 miles it was uncharted territory and the wheels fell off in the last 1k but I did it and made it!”
It wasn’t long before Sara was back on the startline for the next race, 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 dusky 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.
Sara showed no sign of her lingering soft tissue damage as she zipped along the seafront in 28 minutes exactly.
“It was a great run though and seeing all the head torches shining along the seafront when we ran down the pier was amazing!”
The next day it was the turn of Tarnia Eldridge and George Butler as they stepped onto the startline of the marathon in Kings Park. Nerves jangling, they waited in their start pens. Both running to raise funds for the Stroke Association, this newly engaged pair hold this great cause very dear to their hearts.
They made their way out toward Southbourne, before reaching Hengistbury Head, the main division between Poole and Christchurch Bays, at mile 9.
Onward they went, zig-zagging their way along Eastcliff Drive before going up and down the pier at Boscombe at mile 15 and then Bournemouth pier at mile 17.
Back into town they went up a rather nasty incline, before they wiggled back through Lower Gardens an embarked on an out and back section out to Europe’s largest natural harbour at Poole before they made the final turn for home and the welcome sight of the finish area at Lower Gardens.
George ran the perfect race. Coming over the line in a cracking 4.18.15, almost 23 minutes off his Pb.
“That’s 10 marathons done for me, so I’ll be calling it quits until further notice……unless I get in to London!”
Tarnia also ran brilliantly, coming home in 4.43.07 giving her her 16th marathon.
Well done team IWRR
