3 distances were on offer for this festive seaside event, however all of our hardy Roadrunners took on the marathon.
In defiance of the forecast of persistent rain our audacious octet braved the startline outside the Pyramids Centre in Southsea. Luckily the meteorologists were wrong as they lined up without a drop falling from the sky.
8.30 came and they all set off. A big disparity of experience between them as Giorgio Marinelli set off on only his 2nd marathon alongside Steve Hickman running his 152nd. The motley crew of Ian Dyer, Andy MacArthur, Michael Coultrup, Hayley Baxter, Lou Howell and newly appointed most improved Male Ross Wilkes kept them company on the startline as they began to make their way along South Parade.
After passing the Royal Marines Museum they continued onto Longstone Harbour. A multi terrain course, the runners had to tackle some very muddy footpaths, and shingle beaches feeling ever harder as they had to face them twice on this out and back course.
Andy MacArthur was the first runner back in a tidy 3 and a half hours
“I can hand on heart say that I won’t be doing that again” he tells me the next day “that was was so energy sapping”
Hayley was next back to the Pyramid Centre, continuing her fantastic form to complete the course in just over 3 and 3/4 hours with Ross Wilkes not too far behind her. Michael Coultrup was next in just over 4.
Steve ticked off number 152 in just over 4 and a half, with the self named team “GIL” of Giorgio, Ian and Lou concluding the batting for the IWRR after running the whole thing together.
“That wasn’t the prettiest of courses but we had a great laugh on the way round” Ian tells me.
Despite everyone finding the course harder going than they anticipated, they all collected their medals with a smile and engaged in some rather unorthodox recovery methods.
Great running by all… and guilt free mince pies all round!
