Harlow Running Club

I have now accepted that Steve MacK. is not going to injure himself, so now entered this race as my target marathon. This is so I can concentrate on the final part of my training schedule, peaking 2 weeks later that London, in time for this event. If called upon, I can still run London, but would do so as a VERY SLOW last long run 2 weeks out, rather than the 18 miler I would have been doing.

Vicky ran this last year (I supported) and we can say that it is is a very good marathon - you can even enter it on the day! It does have a very different feel to a  big city marathon such as London, very much like the Essex 20 for those who ran it.  There is not the degree of crowd support that you get at London of course, or the numbers running it (entry is ~750), however it is a very friendly event.

The route is essentially a scenic 2 lap figure of eight, so you run a ~1 mile stretch 4 times where there is loads of support. There are some undulations, but you do not have the crowding that you get at London. You also get to supply your own drinks for the drinks stations (and/or have a stash with a friendly supporter located at the place runners pass 4 times).

To give you an idea of the event, go to this link for photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/harlowrc/HalsteadMarathonMay2009

or this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JHRq26cKYI  for a video taken by one of participants of the 30 mile race that runs at the same time (you may recognise someone's photos and name in the credits:wink:)

So if you fancy a different type of marathon or have been injured for your London/Brighton training such that you are not ready, but do not want to let your sponsors down. Enter this one at: http://halsteadroadrunners.net/index.php?page=marathon

Other than Jon, who is doing this..?

Linda Hawkins is doing it.

Alan Broughton and Aavid Ayling may also enter

Jon have you received your number yet?

Linda H

No. Not sure how late they do it as Vicky entered late (due to pullin gout of FLM) and got the number a few days before.

I'll investigate their website

I notice this race is part of the Essex County Championships; is that the case every year?

(Trying to get an idea of the race is more likely than usual to fill up before the day)

Yes, it is the Essex Champs every year. It is the only marathon in Essex! Why, are you thinking of doing it Adrian...? There won't be any problem doing entry on the day.

Thank Vicky.

I'm vaguely considering it - probably about a 20% chance at most  (one of the key factors being the weather - I wouldn't do it unless it was cool & there's every chance it'll actually be a scorcher....

I won't do any training for it but if the weather forecast looks promising 2-3 days before I might have a couple days off then enter on the day.  It seems to get uniformly very good reviews as a well-run event.

Got my number today. They even print your name on it - how nice!

For those who are coming to whatch this, the best place to do so is here:

51.969391,0.683633 - (paste these numbers in to the search box of google maps)

The runners pass this point 4 times and there is a car park just up the road.

Good Luck Jon and to anyone else taking part in the Halsted Marathon.

Dan

Hi Jon,

Pasted numbers in with no luck!!! Must be me.  But been looking at map on the race website.  What mile is this near then?  I'm thinking of coming along to watch.

Good Luck to you and Linda

Karen,

Ahh OK. It is literally by the 4 mile marker and there is a spectators car park just up the road.

Will be good to have a big audience!

Jon

Hi,

 I'll be there on Sunday to support and maybe marshall if they need any ( mug! ).

Did anyone know that "Bicep Bill" Jared is running it now?  I bumped into him in Tesco's at the weekend and he's going to give it a go.  It will be a far cry from the thousands cheering him on London but I'm sure he'll do well as all the Harlow runners will!!

Rick

Hi,

Thats means their will be 4 Harlow runners this year including me and possible 5 if Adrian decides to run?

Weather looks like it going to cool so good conditions.

It would be goof to have as much support as possible on what could be quite a lonely course.

Dave

I'll be there with my chair and large numbers of jelly babies! Any other requests from the runners?

I recommend using the drink bottle drop-off service that Halstead provide. You can drop off three of your own drinks to water stations of your choice. So I dropped off my gels sellotaped to water bottles, which worked very well as I didn't have to carry the gels myself. The water stations at Halstead give out cups, and I much preferred having my own bottles to hand. You can also drop off additional supplies of drink bottles and gels with us supporters, as you will pass us 4 times (we will be at the 4 mile marker).

Good luck to all. I enjoyed it last year!  

V

Based on last years times, there is an outside chance of being 3rd place team if Jared does well and the rest of us come in at ~3:15 to 3:25

I'm still a possible although will certainly not be in the 3.15-3.25 bracket -  I've only done one run longer than 6m since Brighton (11m yesterday - which was hard work) so I'm zero-confidence of even getting round.  Nevertheless I may enter anyway!

Online entries are now closed for this so but as mentioned originally entries on the day will be allowed.

I'm thinking of coming to watch, is anyone going from Harlow that wants to car-share?