Eastbourne
Half Marathon
Date: 26th February 2006
Race Type: Road Run
Distance: 13.1 miles
Location: Eastbourne, West Sussex
www.eastbournehalf.co.uk/
Ten O'clock, Sunday 26th February, I ran past my concerned
looking wife and her family at the start of the Eastbourne
Half Marathon - my first race at this distance. Like usual,
I had managed to pick what seemed like the coldest day of
the year to test my mettle over 13.1 miles. The temperature
was about 5°C, but with a 25mph wind it felt well under
Zero (hence my supporters concern about me running around a
Sea Side resort in a pair of shorts).
I saw my first mile marker at mile two and which told me I
was going at a good pace, and I was feeling comfortable.
Then, from about mile three, the climb towards Beachy Head
started. Luckily, this was only for about a mile and a
half, with only a relatively short section that was steep.
At the top was the first drinks station, where I
grabbed an energy drink. I instantly regretted this as it
was far too strong - pure sugar! Anyway, the next five
minutes was spent speeding back downhill, which was the
most fun pasrt of the run. Once at the bottom, it was on to
the sea front promenade for five miles into the wind. This
was the hardest section by far. I was cheered half way
through this, at about mile seven, when I passed a band
playing their socks off in the cold, then passing Claire
(Mrs B) and family. They were quite relieved to see that I
was fine - it was actually quite warm running, while they
were freezing watching me.
The next section was winding through the harbour
area, then finally a loop round some roundabouts before
heading back to Princes Park for the finish. The last two
miles went quickly and I was glad to see I was on target
for a good time. There was one lap of the park, then I was
over the finish line in 01:39:06. I was 103rd out of 596.
The winner, James Baker, finished in 01:14:14.
Steve Butler
