Clarendon Marathon

Clarendon is one of my very favourite races.  An ancient route, fabulous scenery, a challenging mix of terrain and trail types, efficient and friendly marshalling - what's not to like?

There were around 400 starters from Wyvern College in Salisbury.  I set off in about 10th place at a fairly brisk pace.  I was a bit unnerved to do the first km in 3:43 - that's way too fast to be sustainable.  Having run the Jungfrau 4 weeks again certainly helped mentally.  The chalk downland hills were small by comparison and I took them on quite happily.  The cumulative climb for the race was 677 metres, less than a third of the climb 4 weeks ago.

Approaching Broughton and the half-way point

Through Broughton at halfway and I could feel it in my legs.  Past King's Somborne and it gets more challenging, with more significant climbs emerging just as weariness starts to bite.  I kept taking the gels (having learned my lesson in 2010) and kept the pressure on, feeling good.

Emerging from the woods at Farley Mount - about 4 miles to go

A marathon is a game of two halves - the first 20 miles and the last 6.  I could feel myself working harder to keep going, and it became increasingly difficult to stay upright on some technical sections of track with mud and roots everywhere.  It also became a bit lonely, with long stretches with on one else in sight.  Occasionally I would hear a pounding of closing footsteps behind me, but relaxed when I saw it was a relay or half marathon runner.

The final section, with a relay runner in front

The finish came into view, I pushed but there wasn't much left.  The clock said 3:13:42.  I was chuffed - the pacing had been just right and moreover I had enjoyed all of it.  I was very grateful to the support team (Sue and Lucas) for encouragement en route and at the end.

Here is the performance data and here are the results - 5th place, and 2nd M40... I was pipped (hmmm... by 5 minutes actually) to the oldie spot by a guy called Paul Rose, with whom I'd chatted on the way and whom I'd beaten in 2008 (me 3rd, Paul 5th). Come back next year Paul, and I'll catch you!