Moray Marathon (and Half Marathon) 3/9/06
My thoughts on the Moray marathon or “the brown bomber strikes again”
Start time 9.30 am Sunday 3rd September
Forecast: overcast, occasional showers, breezy, temp 12-15C
Reality: clear blue skies, windy, temp 20-21C ( felt like 30C at 16 miles!!!! )Can you see the gentle build up of excuses coming?
Ben Carter and myself were the only 2 from Porty taking part, and Willie and Scott Jarvie were the only 2 running the half marathon.
Approx 130 at start of marathon, so no real probs getting away, after the climb out of Elgin, got into a steady pace and ran with 3 Moray runners, nice pace at just over 7 mins/mile, on target for 3.10-3.15. I must point out at this stage that Ben and I decided to go for the not recommended ( refer to any runners journals/training manuals etc ) pre-race breaky of bacon and eggs and toast and real butter.
Half way at exactly 1.35, spot on for estimated finish time, but wait; tummy cramps since 12 miles out, looking for bushes/trees, had that brown bear feeling again, jumped barbed wire fence ( ok gently eased myself over barbed wire ) and did the necessary.
Back on track a few mins later having lost 3 mins or so, never mind, the sun is shining, the scenery is lovely, just enjoy the race.
Now running solo and playing catch up with those I had overtaken previously, at 15 miles start to catch the half marathon runners who started one and a half hours later, this gives me a great boost, passing half marathon runners and the odd marathon runner now as we climb into Lossiemouth. Back out of Lossiemouth and the climb back up to Elgin begins, a steady climb from 18 miles, feeling the heat, 20 mile point at 2.30, 10k to go, ( could have done with Graham to roar me up the hill, “come on Watson, you big sissy, dig in, only 6 miles to go.” )
2 miles to go and I can see Elgin at the top of the hill, long straight and uphill for a mile, at last, 1 mile to go, almost counting the yards as I go down towards finish and into the park, Willie and Scott cheering me on to the finish line.
I got in at 3.18, not bad considering conditions and course, 3rd senior vet, only 3 mins behind 1st sen vet.
For those who have never done Moray marathon, I highly recommend it, very scenic route, great organisation, lots of food/teas etc. afterwards.
Final positions for marathon 128 runners
Tom Watson 25th in 3.18, 3rd senior vet
Ben Carter 52nd in 3.39Half marathon 254 runners
Willie Jarvie 8th in 1.23.15, 3rd vet
Scott Jarvie 27th in 1.30.40
My thanks to Scott’s wife for taking photos ( the pic of Ben was taken by me, can’t you tell? ) Also my apologies to Willie for not being there for his presentation, was dying in changing room.
Report Tom Watson
Photos Mrs Jarvie + TomFull results here
