Well I didn't even qualify for slow runner! I walked it due to huge hip pain. Still it means I probably got to enjoy the views more than the runners. It's a really good course with enough challenge to keep it interesting. It started at Shadbolt Park in Green Bay and meandered around the edge of New Lynn, through Glen Eden, along West Coast Road and then left the marathon course and headed uphill for 5ks! - Carter Road and Shaw Road to Scenic Drive. The Half course then rejoined the marathon course and we met up with the tail end Charlie - he ended up winning the trophy for perseverance. We travelled up and down along Scenic Drive until it hit the roundabout with the Dr Seuss type sculptures in Titirangi. After marching past the cafe society enjoying the fine weather it was downhill - down Titirangi and Godley Roads. Godley Road was soooooo long but we finally came to Portage Rd and the finish was in sight for us - not so for the marathoners, they had a horror 7k loop to complete before they were done.
The weather was brilliant and the only fly in the ointment was that they decided to remove the first drink stop - the one prior to the big climb - before we got there - thank heavens for camelbacks! The drink stops were about every 6k so it was a long hot climb to the second one which fortunately was still there.
The prize-giving was well run with breaks for food and spot prizes between presentations - I won some compression socks - do I look like Paula Radcliffe! Don't think they are really me!
