Brass Monkey Half Marathon

[Sun 24th J an 2010] Sitting in the car, parked in the middle of a very muddy field with 20 minutes to the start, persistent rain outside and thinking, “Why have I got up early and driven 100 miles for this?” Luckily the rain settled down to a cold, misty drizzle (ideal running conditions) as 5 hardy souls from Blyth RC joined 1,500 others in this annual ½ marathon. For those who haven’t done it before, it is an out-and-back with a loop at half way through some of the most boring countryside in England. The main attraction is that it is dead flat and ideal for fast running. It also boasts the best race headquarters (and toilets) on the racing calendar – the Ebor stand at York racecourse.

The Blyth knitting club (Julie, Davina and Adele) was in full cry – not only did they have a good run but, more importantly, a ‘good chat’ (all the way round). Highlight of the day though was Alison Lowes performance. In doubt a week before the race due to lack of training she managed to knock over 6 minutes off her P.B.! The smile was still on her face much later after we’d extricated the car from the mud and settled down to a well earned drink.