The Event
The Hastings Half Marathon is a road running event that takes place every March around the streets of Hastings. Starting in 1984 and organised by The Hastings Lions Club, the race has become quite popular over the last few years, with calls for it to be crowned The Great South Run, attracting 5,000 entries every year. It has been voted best race of its kind in the UK for three years. In 2005 it was voted fifth best race in the UK and was voted number 23 in the list of the Top 50 2007 races in the UK by readers of Runners' World.
The route has a total climb of 237 metres with an average climb rate of 18 metres per mile. Taking this into account, this route is equivalent to running approximately 14 miles (22.5 km) on the flat.
The course circumnavigates the Ancient Town of Hastings, starting at the Seafront and following the route of William the Conqueror towards Battle, round the back of the Town and down to the Famous 'Old Town' and fishing Village of Hastings, then comes back along the 3 mile (5 km) seafront back to where it started. Although tough for the first part of the course, runners have produced some very fast times and PB's, as the last two-thirds is Flat or Downhill.
This year’s event was held on Sunday 16th March 2008.
My Event
My first half marathon event! (if you exclude my failed attempt from
last year).
I had started my running training in January and ran my first half marathon in training by the end of February. Therefore, two weeks after this first half marathon, I was to compete in my first event. I really didn't have any targets apart from finishing the race, as I had no idea what to expect!
Last year I had a disastrous attempt at completing the Hastings Half Marathon when a knee injury prevented me from finishing the race and ultimately ended my hopes of competing in the London Marathon. This year, I was back again, with the same goal; complete this race and make it to the London Marathon!
I got on the train at Tunbridge Wells on the special Sunday service to Hastings. The train was packed with many other runners as it was a popular event in the South East of England attracting around 4,000 competitors each year.
On arrival in St Leonards (just outside Hastings), I met with a work colleague of mine who was also competing, Paul. We both moved on towards the start area. I remember it was quite a miserable day. Grey clouds, light drizzle and a strong coastal wind too! Grim!
After a short wait on the start where it was so packed that the bodies around me protected me from the weather, it was time to go! I took it fairly easy at the beginning as almost immediately the route left the coast and moved inland with the inevitable climb. Those first few miles were tough!
A few miles in and I passed the spot where I had to stop last year because of my knee injury. I was feeling fine this time around though!
Even though the weather remained grey and wet, crowds of people
joined the sides of the road to cheer people on! They really did offer some inspiration!
As I approached the last few miles, the route wound down back towards the coast with some very steep downhill. These were very welcome even if they were a little tough on the knees! The hardest part was the last mile or so as I ran along the seafront in Hastings back to the finish area in St Leonards. It was flat here but there was a strong wind that always seemed to be blowing against me. However, it was along this section that I saw Minna and Samu which was a nice boost!
I forced myself into a little sprint as I approached the line and stopped my watch. My final time was 1:43:54 which I was very happy with! This put me easily in the top third of runners which I thought was not bad for a first timer! My colleague Paul had finished about 4 minutes before me and was waiting at the finish line.
On reflection, I had thoroughly enjoyed my first (full) half marathon experience. This was new ground for me. I came away with a good time and more importantly injury free. Next up for me was the Paddock Wood half marathon in a couple of weeks time.....
Results
My gun time was 1:44:41 which gave me a position of 906th of the 3,704 competitors who finished. My chip time was 1:43:54. Full results can be viewed clicking here