Isle of Man Half Marathon,

Sunday, 12th August 2007

&

Foxdale 6,

Thursday, 16th August 2007

 

The day started with me taking George, Yvonne and our Julie down to the sea terminal. Here they met up with Chris Moss and his friends who had got the 02.15 ferry to Douglas so they could catch the 7.30am free bus to Ramsey for the start of the race. I returned to the hotel to pick up Kirst and Meggie and travelled in convoy with Simon, Sue and Emily-May to the start of the race.

 

We met up with everyone at the Race Headquarters where picking up your number is as simple as it gets.  The people in charge of issuing numbers took your name and handed out your race number.  Simple! From there it was warm up and watch the start of the marathon, which was at 9am. The club photo of the ‘International’ athletes was arranged for 09.25 down on the promenade.  We made the assumption that the start for the half would be the same as the marathon.  Wrong! The piccie was quickly forgotten and the Wesham contingent ran down to the start.  In the absence of the Wesham runners, the ‘International’ supporters had their ‘Official’ piccie taken instead!  No stress there.

 

The race sets off along the prom before climbing slightly up to a coastal road which runs parallel to the sea ‘til 2 miles, then inland we head. Here starts a gradual climb up to 3 miles, (Anne, Norman and Faith were there cheering us on), followed by a moderate climb up to the turn left at just past 4 mile. Then it’s along slightly undulating ‘A’ roads with lovely scenery before starting to head back towards the mountains and the drop down to the coast at Ramsey. After about 6 miles you start to pick up the Marathon runners which give you a lift as it is lonely at times up on the open roads over the top. You gradually pick up marathon runners all the way to the stadium finish where the crowds are enthusiastic and welcoming.  Sue, Emily, Kirst and Meg were shouting us all in close to the finish.

 

After receiving your medal, goody bag and T-shirt there are free massages and physiotherapists on hand. Tea, coffee and a bar are available, with showers and changing rooms in the pavilion.  You can enjoy your refreshment while sitting on the stands and join in cheering on the now arriving marathon runners. We then, all 15 of us, piled into three cars and went back towards Douglas over the mountain section of the TT course and stopped for a drink at the famous Creg-Ny-Baa to watch the motorbikes thunder down the road. Unfortunately it was very quiet on this particular day so we headed back to the hotel for food and drinks. The next morning I found out I was 11th overall and first Vet 40 for which I received a very nice plaque.

 

The Waywell’s and the Eaton’s then moved out of the luxury of the hotel to a nearby campsite at Union Mills to enjoy the rest of our holiday on the Island and wait for the Foxdale 6 on Thursday night. 

 

I had been told it was a fast start. I was not disappointed!  On a nice, cool, calm, if not damp evening, Simon, who was nursing a bad ankle, and I, stood on the start line looking down a hill, which resembled a cliff!  We rocketed down this before a 100 metre slight climb followed by 1.5 miles of downhill towards a right hand turn and a 1 mile climb back up a cliff to a right hand turn signifying the end of the climb and the start of 2 miles of flat quiet country roads with views over the hills to the sea beyond.  Then it’s another right turn and downhill for the final mile to the finish at the school.  A great race and a must for next year.  A word of warning – the midges were out in force!  I was 8th in 37.30 and Simon had a good run on his bad ankle for 22nd in 42.42 then it was all off to the pub for some fantastic food and beer.

 

This race will be part of the Grand Prix 2008

 

Written by: Peter Waywell

Submitted: September 2007

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor