Conway Castle/Great Orme Llandudno Half Marathon

8^th November 2009

The inaugural one no less. Following breakfast in our B&B we were busy packing and watching TV when coverage of the Cardiff Half Marathon was on. The commentator said this was the 7^th Cardiff Half and I realised I had taken part in that one. Was this becoming a trend? When is the next inaugural Welsh half? I witter lets get down to the race report. Please bear in mind that this is a view from the rear front runners might have a different experience.

Race HQ was the Bridge Inn on the main street in Conway. Even though the staff we cheery and helpful the HQ was woefully inadequate for the number of people entered in the race. The start was just a short walk away and we quickly found a couple of other Wesham members for a quick photo opportunity.

The start was the footpath alongside the Conway Bridge that formed part of the coastal way. This was very cramped and not helped by 15 minute delay to the start due to people having trouble parking. From the start you can just about make out the Orme in the distance we consoled ourselves with the fact that from the map it didn't look as if we would be going right up it. Suddenly we were off (no Brian Porter/ Bill Gardener chat here), along a very narrow footpath fenced in at one side and an eroding grassy bank at the other. Even at my pace there was lots of jostling and shoving, it must have been very frustrating for those at the front who were trying to get good times and set course records. Maybe the organisers should have stuck to their advertised 500 limit instead of taking around an extra 200 entries.

The course continued alongside the railway line and the coast giving lovely views across the estuary which gave you something to focus on as the road stretched ahead. A quick loop round a housing complex to make the mileage right and back along the coastal path where the terrain changed to sand and lots of very big puddles: still at least the water was on the floor and not falling from the sky. Just after 3 miles we came to the water station where you were given an 80ml couplet, (think hospital orange juice), which had been thoughtfully opened to enable a gulp before it was gone.

The route then took you into Llandudno, fortunately for me there was someone in front of me as there were no marshals to point the way. A quick sprint along past the Great Orme train station and then a chance to pick up pace as the course descended downhill towards the pier. The course then passed the front of the pier and then took the toll road along the Orme. This is where I had a sharp intake of breath as in the past I have owned cars that I wouldn't risk taking up there!!!!!

The course continued up and up very helpfully marked in 100m sections as we climbed. There was a great deal of camaraderie in this section as we encouraged each other to keep going, running when we could and overtaking others that needed to have a walk and taking the same encouragement when I needed to walk. I met up with a girl who had done the Great North Run in the same time as me and she said there was no way she would do this in the same time and I have to say I agreed with her. It was so tough with that continual climb; every time you thought you had reached the top another upward slope would appear. Finally we reached the summit, thoughtfully marked out by a cafe, before starting downwards towards the water station at 8 miles where we gratefully ceased another couplet.

At this point you can see the finishing point, Conway Castle, enticingly in the distance spurring you on and giving a burst of energy as you head back along the beach front through the puddles and the mini dunes. By now there were quite a few people out with dogs and children on bikes which needed to be negotiated. Their encouragement was greatly appreciated by our little group though. As it was an out and back courses the little loop around the housing estate was another marker down. Back along the railway track, which somehow seemed much longer on the way back in.

The castle slipped back into view but remained further away than my energy levels would allow. I could even hear Dave shouting his encouragement across the water. Finally we reached the run in, no finish line in sight to focus on though and only at the last minute did it become clear where the finish was. This made harder to see by people milling in the finish lane which was very narrow. Timing was recorded manually and people who crossed the line after me had their times recorded before me and as the results showed there were several of us who finished around the same time without our seconds recorded.

The illustrious goody bag contained a whole lot of advertising, a jar of cranberry sauce and a bookmark and mug from the sponsors and finally a bottle of water. Then back to the Bridge Inn for the prize giving the winners receiving very nice engraved glass plates.

Although it wasn't a PB race for me and I was left feeling very drained as I hadn't been well in the weeks leading up to the race at least I didn't set the record for the slowest to complete the course.

Overall the race had a few glitches, at the back of the field I could live with them, at the front I think I would find it very frustrating. The organisers have already identified the need for bigger race HQ next year. Hopefully they will limit the numbers and make a better race for all. Would I do it again next year, maybe if only to make sure the Great Orme knows whose boss!

Written by: Sue Jones

Submitted: 8^th February 2010

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor