I decided many months ago that I wouldn't run a marathon this year, but would instead concentrate on building up ankle strength after last year's Achilles heel injury. And so it came to pass that I joined forces with James Battle, James Byrne and Steve Geary to form the unusually-named team: Get in Gear, feel the Burn and Battle the hills in Style.
I was in Salisbury early, seeing the lovely Mrs S and Small Kate off on their marathon start in light drizzle. The forecast for the day looked really awful. James, James and Steve turned up to collect their numbers and we stood around chatting and saying hello to the various friendly faces coming and going. The weather seemed to easing, and looking westwards I saw a strip of blue sky.
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Mrs S and Kate head off under gloomy skies
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| These chaps mean business |
I went off on the first leg with the 10:30 massed start. In short order I was in third place, and then second. At the bottom of the first hill up to Clarendon Palace I was passed by Matt Hammerton, looking very strong, and then another marathon runner. I was aware of a challenger just behind me but managed to fend him off.
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| The 10:30 massed start - a mix of marathon and relay runners |
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| That's Matt in the foreground |
The sun came out at Pitton, and from there it was a beautifully-lit and surprisingly warm course. I kept the pressure up as well as I could, and arrived at the handover in
44:22, second place in the relay race.
After trotting back to the start I popped home for a shower and thence to Winchester to watch the finishers. James Battle came storming in, and the GBBS team was the fourth team home.
The atmosphere at the finish was wonderful. Marathon, HM and relay runners alike were all smiles (and a few grimaces) in the autumn sunshine. It's wonderful to see how this event has captured people's imagination and affection over the years.
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Leg 1: making hot work of it
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| Leg 2: just floatin' along |
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| Leg 3: over the river Test |
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| Leg 4: bringing it home |
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| Meanwhile, Mrs S seems to have lost her tray |
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| Romsey out in force at the finish |
