Results:
1st Man: Mark Buckingham – 2:21:42
1st Woman: Charlene Jacobs-Conradie – 2:52:21
Rob Hill: 3:55:57 with 1584 ahead of me. 4310 finished the course.
I think I was the only Harrier attending, but please forgive me if the results service and I missed any others.
The course starts in York, going past the Minster, then heading out into reasonably flat countryside. A number of villages enliven the proceedings, along with a few bagpipe and drum bands – which I really appreciated! Its fairly picturesque, but I guess we are blessed with good scenery in Kent. All the roads are fully closed to traffic. The weather gods were very favourable with virtually no rain or wind, cool temperature and the odd glimpse of the sun. Perfect conditions really.
There are a couple of out and back sections – the first relatively short at about halfway (at Stamford Bridge – my supporting son a little disappointed that there were few signs of Harold Godwinson’s victory over Harald Hardrada back in 1066). The second a longer section around 30kms – where the going got tough for me.
The finish includes a short sharp climb up to the University, then a blissful 400 metres downhill to the finish. This allowed me really enjoy the “sprint” finish and put a massive grin on my face to go with my PB and first sub-4.
The organisation is great with lots of marshals, water stations, loos (and bushes). The support is good – not big-city strong – but the villagers came out with jelly beans-a-plenty. The last couple of miles back in York were well supported.
Would I recommend it to others? Yes, PBs are clearly possible and the organisation good.
Rob Hill