Posts tagged Marathon
Brighton Marathon

When: April 2nd 2023
Where: Brighton and Hove
Course: Road route from Preston Park to Hove Lawns, along the sea-front and some residential areas.
Start: Preston Park, Preston Road, Brighton and Hove, Brighton, BN1 6SD
Finish: Hove beach, Adelaide Crescent, Brighton and Hove, BN3 2JJ
Distance: 42.2 km (26.2 miles)
Elevation change: +285m / -385m. Net: -20m
Other routes touched (walk): Monarch’s Way, Mid Sussex Link, Newhaven-Brighton Clifftop Path
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 2, 20
Finish time: 4:59
Links: Brighton Marathon, Brighton, Hove, Preston Park

This was my first Marathon distance in 7 years and the first road Marathon since for 12 years. I much prefer trail Ultras now but I still felt that I hadn’t had my fill of the Marathon distance. I was also weirdly not happy with having done 4 Marathons and wanted a rounder number. When my friend Mark messaged me a month before to say that Brighton had released some extra tickets, I didn’t have to think too much about it.

The only thing that I had to think a bit more about was my predicted finish time when was I completing the entry form. My previous road Marathons were 4:41, 4:27 and 4:51, with the tougher trail Beachy Head Marathon at 5:36. Given that several years had passed and not having enough time to train and rest, I knew that I would be slower. I wanted to get in within 5 hours so I put down 4:59 on the entry form. Mark did the same and we were entered into the Pink Wave.

During the race the first third felt good. The chilly start was just right for me and I kept just ahead of my planned pace all the way. For the second third Mark went off ahead but not too far and I could see him whenever there was a turnaround on an out-and-back section. I was still just ahead of the 4:30 pacers and feeling good that I might finish at around 4:40, averaging my previous road Marathon times.

By 16 miles I was starting to feel the heat. There were a lot of water stations and I poured a lot of water over my head to cool me down but I was definitely feeling it. At 17 miles the route took a small loop around Brunswick Square with a slight incline and I “hit the wall”. I wasn’t able to run up the hill so did a fast walk. This broke my pace and I found it difficult to getting running again. The next 6 miles were tough as the route went through residential sections of Hove away from the coast. I tried some run/walk sections but got cramp whenever I tried to run, so I stayed at a determined fast walk. In the meantime, the 4:40 and 4:45 have both overtaken me by the time the route returned to the sea-front.

With 2km to go I could see the 5 hour pacer getting closer and closer over my shoulder. I found some new energy and motivation and was able to get back up to a run. I crossed the finish line at 4:59:23, just 37 seconds within the 5 hour mark. My friend Mark had an amazing 1st Marathon, finishing over half an hour head of me and beating my Marathon PB by 2 minutes.

I loved the day despite the tough last 9 miles. It did confirm, though, that I trail Ultras are more my thing. Maybe I’ll do another Marathon in the future but it will need to be an epic one.

Richard gowerRun, Marathon, Coast, Sussex, EnglandComment
Beachy Head Marathon

When: October 29th 2016
Where: Eastbourne
Course: Hilly! Mostly South Downs Way & other trails starting and ending at Bede's preparatory School in Eastbourne
Start & Finish: Bede's Prep School, Dukes Drive, Eastbourne, BN20 7XL
Distance: 42.2 km (26.2 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 1,099m
Other routes touched (walk): South Downs Way, Weald Way, Vanguard Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 2
Finish time: 5:36
Links: Beachy Head Marathon, South Downs Way, Beachy Head, Eastbourne

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Richard gowerRun, Marathon, South Downs, National Park, Sussex, EnglandComment
London Marathon

When: April 13th 2008
Where: London UK
Course: All-road from Blackheath, Greenwich to The Mall via Docklands.
Start: Greenwich Park, London, SE10 8QY
Finish: The Mall, London, SW1A 1AA
Distance: 42.2 km (26.2 miles)
Elevation change: + 156 / - 194m. net -38m
Other Routes Touched (walk): Greenwich Meridian Trail, Green Chain Walk, Explore Charlton Trail, Capital Ring, Jubilee Greenway, Thames Path, Lea Valley Walk, Jubilee Walkway
Other Routes Touched (cycle): NCN 1, 13, 4, 425, / CS 3
Finish time: 4:27
Links: London Marathon, Blackheath, The Mall

Richard gowerRun, London, Marathon, EnglandComment
New York City Marathon

When: November 3rd 2007
Where: New York City, NY, USA
Course: All road across the NY 5 boroughs: Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx and Manhattan, ending in Central Park
Start: Fort Wadsworth / Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Staten Island, NY 10305
Finish: Dalehead Arch, Central Park, New York, NY 10023
Distance: 42.2 km (26.2 miles)
Elevation change: + 164 / - 172m. net -12m
Finish time: 4:41
Links: New York City Marathon, New York City, Fort Wadsworth, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Manhattan, Central Park

The day started with a 04:00 alarm call and a 05:00 bus trip from the New York Public Library to the runners’ village at Fort Hamilton at the start line. There we had a very cold 4 hour wait before the starting gun at 10:10. We were released in groups of 1,000 based on our predicted finish time, so it took a while for to get through the start. There were 28,000 people ahead of me, so I got through about 20 mins later.

The first couple of miles were across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, between Staten Island and Brooklyn, with a long climb upwards for the first mile. That's normally not the best way to start a big run, but the excitement of the day and the views of New York Harbour towards downtown Manhattan made it a fun way to start.

Brooklyn (miles 2 to 13) was the most interesting and enjoyable part, with thousands of people cheering, bands playing and different communities to run through. The BHF running expert had warned us about getting too carried away with the excitement in the first 6 miles and to pace ourselves. This turned out to be great advice and the first half went by with no trouble at all.

I reached half way, between Brooklyn and Queens at 2 hours 10 mins, just after the winner had passed the finish line 13 miles away … Paula Radcliffe would finish 13 mins later.

After a short run through Queens, came the Queensboro Bridge, another long climb and descent, into Manhattan. The British Heart Foundation (BHF) cheering station was a great motivator as we started the long straight run up 1st Avenue towards the Bronx. I didn’t hit "The Wall" around mile 18, where a lot of people struggle, but it started to get slow as my legs just wouldn’t go as fast. I’d made sure that I’d got my eating and hydration right, which I think was the main reason The Wall didn’t come.

After 2 miles in The Bronx, we came back into Manhattan, down 5th Avenue towards the final 2 miles in Central Park. At this point I could see the Empire State Building, which was a lot further than the finish point and didn’t seem too far away.

Finally Mile 26 came, and the last 400 metres to the finish line. I could see the clock at the finish at 4. Hours 58, and managed to find a bit more energy to finish with a clock time of 4 hours 59 mins and a chip time of 4 hours 41 mins.

In all, it wasn’t as tough as I expected, although the last 6 miles hurt a lot. It’s a fantastic place to do a first marathon with the different boroughs, communities and excited crowds. I’ll definitely do others, and am already signed up for London next April. I’d like to do one in less than 4 hours … probably not in London, but maybe for my third !.

This has been my 4th year of raising money for the BHF. Initially I signed up with them to do the London To Brighton bike ride, not giving a lot of thought to the charity side. Having done several adventures with them, including 3 London To Paris bike rides I've become more aware and appreciative of the great work that they do in helping reduce Heart Disease. I've got quite addicted to the events as they are great ways to keep fit and top social events too.

Many thanks to all of you who sponsored me this year. Thanks to you, my total sponsorship for the BHF is £1,500. In total, the BHF expects to raise over £100,000 from the NYC Marathon.

Richard gowerRun, Marathon, USAComment