Brathay Windermere Marathon


20th May 2012

 

0fficial Results

Simon North 3.31.18
Noel Jones 4.07.21

On Friday, Sylvia and I returned to Windermere to support this years group undertaking 10 marathons in 10 days and on Sunday I would join them and 800 others for the Brathay Windermere Marathon. It brought back a lot of memories seeing the 18 Ten In Ten runners making their way around the course for days 8 and 9. They were patched up and put together by the physios and it made me realise again just how well Jayson Shaw did with his 8 marathons. There are plenty of tales of pain and triumph on the blogs (http://www.brathaywindermeremarathon.org.uk/blog.aspx) and video diaries (http://www.cumbrialive.tv/brathay10in10/). We certainly witnessed some pain and I hope that we managed to help in some small way.

On Saturday night we took ourselves to the pub for pre race nutrition and in classic small world fashion found the only other Bedford Harrier at the next table. I have to confess that Simon's drink (or at least the one I heard him order) was far more appropriate for the next day's activity than mine. On Sunday the sun came out to show the Lake district at it's best and for a while it looked as though it might be a bit warm for running a marathon. Thankfully much of the first half of the course is shaded as it runs through wooded hills. We saw the 10 in 10 runners off for their last lap of the lake and an hour later we followed the street drum band down the hill to the start line to give chase. About half a mile in Simon came past and asked if I had a time in mind. I replied no but between 4 and 4:30 would keep me happy. In other words I wanted a sub 4.

Having run the course 13 times I know it fairly intimately and I have a good idea of how I think it needs to be run. The first half of the course down to Newby Bridge is undulating but there is only the one major hill. This part is really about not getting carried away and maintaining a relaxed pace. A check of the watch at Newby Bridge told me a decent sub 4 was a distinct possibility. After this there are a series of switchbacks over about 3 miles and this is where the race is run or lost. I'm still unsure just how many hills there are but I reckon either 5 or 6. I came through them in good shape but soon after my energy reserves ran out. I'd had my only two gels but now I had to struggle to the next refreshment station where I dived upon the Kendal Mint Cake and the energy drink. I'd lost time though and this was confirmed as I checked my watch going though Bowness. Still, I hadn't come this far to give up and some rather dodgy maths said it was still possible despite at least three muscles that were threatening strike action. I ran up Ice Cream Mountain and decided to forgo the ice cream this year as the mint cake was kicking in and I'd managed to lengthen my stride. I paused briefly to wish a couple of the 10 in 10 runners well and was pleased that they had all got so far because it meant they would be back in time for the presentations. Just the final hill up to Brathay Hall and then the best finish of any marathon I know on the front lawn; a runway lined with people (I spotted Sylvia) and the lake as a backdrop.

We'll be going back next year - anyone care to join us and help support a really good charity too?

Noel
p.s. 98 down, 2 to go.

http://www.brathaywindermeremarathon.org.uk/results.aspx

 

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