Watford Half Marathon 7/02/10
So I know the mere title 'Watford half-marathon' will probably conjure up depressing urban images for most Scottish readers. But I grew up in one of the villages this race goes past, and the race regularly features in Runners World lists of the best UK races, so I wanted to give it a go. And, to cut a long story short, I'm very glad I did.
Changing facilities, left luggage, etc is at the 'Colosseum', which sits between Watford Town Hall and the Peace Hospice (which is also the main beneficiary of any profits). The Colosseum is a big red-brick nightclub that is a venue for bands, clubs and such-like and bears no real similarity to its Roman namesake. But it is pretty big and has good facilities for the 2000+ runners taking part. The race itself starts about 5 minutes jog down the road, in nearby Cassiobury Park. By the time you get to the race start in the middle of the park, you can't tell that you're in the middle of a city.
the LeadersWe started off bang-on 10.30. First mile or so was within the park - a few too many people for the trail, but enough room to run on the grass either side during the early rush. Leaving the park, we went along residential streets, then turned a corner and we were onto a fairly narrow rural road. The good thing about the course overall is that it is never monotonous - it starts in the park and quickly goes urban, uphill, downhill and then somehow rural, trail (well, I think it's supposed to be a road but narrow, through woods - where I used to run school cross-country many years ago - and you can't see the tarmac through the mud) and then urban and park again. It's quite challenging since with each bend, change of incline and change of scenery, you seem to lose your momentum. The course as a whole is what I think people call 'undulating', with some pretty tough hills along the way. If I was to compare it with a race that other club members are familiar with, it would be the Lasswade 10. It's similar size hedge-lined country roads, similar ups and downs, similar small villages. Two of the villages/hamlets you pass through are Bucks Hill and Toms Hill - so I guess the clues were there if I'd been looking.
I'm biased because I grew up in Sarratt, which is one of the villages you pass nearby, but these are lovely country villages. Almost as many pubs as houses - it's a nice part of the world... It's surreal when you do cross the M25 (over a bridge, obviously...) and suddenly see all these cars. Like the Dechmont Law 10K when it goes over the M8, if you're after another comparison...
So very little traffic along the course, although there was one incident where some townie thought it was a good idea to run panting right past the back of a horse-rider. The horse reared and it was only the skill of the rider that stopped any damage being done...
I also saw 'Mick'n'Phil', who I've read about in magazines but never seen in the flesh before. Mick cheered every runner who went by as he pushed Phil in the wheelchair along that route. Inspiring stuff.
There were regular water and Gatorade stops along the course (choice of flavour too), all sensibly positioned.
The marshalling was great, with plenty of encouragement. Not many spectators along the rural parts of the course, but those who were there (mostly my friends and family from around-about!) were friendly and supportive. And the finish back in the park was great, lots of families around and vocal support. The PA name-checked me and the club on the finishing straight too!
Didn't see any other Scottish club runners but did see one Celtic football top (Booooo!). Also saw several Watford football tops (Yay! Come on you hornets!)
This was a really good race; an excellent route, and superb organisation. I'd say that whilst Edinburgh wins over Watford in pretty much every other department, their half-marathon is way better than any we've got in the city... Obviously it won't have the same nostalgia value for most people as it did for me, but if you're considering a long weekend in London, you could do a lot worse than timing it to fit in with this race. You might have less luck than me persuading someone to invite a bunch of people round afterwards and cook you roast beef, yorkshire pudding, and all the trimmings... (thanks Mum). But that's where those country pubs come in handy....
As for my performance at the race, I was happy enough. For a race so early in the season, and so hilly for the distance (legs were a bit jelly-like on the later hills), I was happy to get round in 1.39. Reckon that sets me up nicely for beating last year's time at Alloa in a month or so!
Report Sandy Macdonald
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