Hong Kong Marathon 8/02/09
Marc with IreneThought I would let you all know how I got on. Not quite in the gang just yet. Managed to raise in excess of 500 pounds for Prader-willi syndrome, which is great news.
So after a very restless night the HK Marathon was here. I got up about 4am and tried to get all my stuff organised. which was hard work considering I was so tired. Went down to the star ferry for about 6am and realised it wouldn't be opening till 7am. So much for my great planning. Hence my 1st trip on the MTR and it was absolutely packed.
Do I really need the toilet again?Made it to Tsim Sha Tsui and dropped off my bag, quick trip to the disgusting porta-loos and I was ready to go.
The 10k, half and marathon are all set off at different stages. The marathon is the last at 8am and it was boiling. I am Scottish and all my training has been in the sub zero temps, so anything above 20 degrees and I am struggling. My thoughts of a sub 3 went out the window, more concerned about the 5.30 hour cut off LOL.
Chinese Buddha
Handover MonumentSo the race started and it was some pace as normal, everyone went off like bullets, though that did soon dwindle quite quickly. We headed up The Highway through Kowloon and up past the New Territories. The first 20k was all generally up hill. I was feeling quite good and there were masses of water stations around every corner.
Am I walking?
Then on to Cheung Kwai Tunnel and Tsing Ma Bridge. The Tunnel was so polluted you just can't comprehend. I went in breathing not bad and came out feeling like I had had my mouth around a car exhaust. Oh and there were 3 more to come.
Once we got to Ting Kau Bridge we turned back on ourselves and headed towards central and then finished in Victoria Park.
When will it finish?It was one heck of an experience, I loved it. All I would say is I am glad I don't have to run and train in polluted air like that on a wednesday night.
My time 3.10.53, clocked 26.52miles, don't remember getting lost.
Happy considering everything, anyway bloody knackered now, going to go to bed and maybe get up to see if Scotland can triumph.
161 Overall
143 Gender Position
50 Category PositionOfficial Time:03:11:02
Chip Time 03:10:52
10k 00:43:17
Half Way 01:28:12
30K 02:10:10
Report and photos Marc Grierson
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