Club member Ian Hillier reflects on the Lincoln Half Marathon…
On a bright and cool morning of Sunday 2nd October 2016, four Wreake Runners, Fiona, GT, Zenon and myself took on the Lincoln HM. It was last run 25 years ago so as a consequence it didn’t have the biggest field, 2600 runners in total took up the challenge. The start and finish was at Lincoln Showground, about 4 miles outside of Lincoln so it’s unusual that you run into the City and back out again. That said, the small village at the Showground did lend a feeling of a big city race.
After getting into our respective starting pens we were all off at about 9.40. The start was a bit narrow so getting up to pace took some time. The first 4 miles is along an undulating very straight road going towards Lincoln so support was fairly scarce, but as we approached the City centre the support increased. The route through the City in my opinion was the best bit, you take in the Cathedral and the Castle before heading past the Marina and this is where most of the spectators were located. It was within the City we all had a boost by the appearance of Marie Collins and Lyndsey W fresh from a night out for Jane Mayes hen do, she was nowhere to be seen, can’t think why??! After the well supported Marina area we looped back around a small industrial area and back towards our mini fan club and also passing Zenon aka “sticks” on his way into the marina area just before the hill enjoying a high five to celebrate.
And now onto climbing up the only real hill, which was about a mile long and sapped the energy from the legs…. After the hill, it’s about 4 miles back along the undulating straight road back to the finish, so no major obstacles there. Also, the support was still there to cheer on the more weary looking runners! I managed to catch the 1:30 pacer with 2 miles to go, but don’t be fooled, he was way off pace! The flat finish was welcome relief, followed by picking up a decent medal, a beer and a sports massage. Overall, it was a well organised event that should attract ever bigger competitors, the start needs to be wider but apart from that a good race.
Times:
Ian : 1:34:38
GT: 1:42:48
Zenon: 1:52:44
Fiona: 2:07:39