Brass Monkey Half Marathon 2012 – Race Report/Results

By Sara Sarginson:

This was to be a day of firsts for me. My first proper race, my first half marathon and also my first run representing the Bounders. The date seemed to approach fast after Christmas and New Year and I felt a little under-prepared, not having stuck to any kind of proper training schedule. Those nagging doubts started to creep in a few days before the race.

My heart sank when I woke up on Sunday morning and I heard the gale still blowing outside. Of all the weather conditions Mother Nature has to offer, wind is my least favourite. In fact I’ll go so far as to say strong winds scare me. I definitely didn’t feel happy about running a half marathon that morning. Apart from the wind, the weather was bright and dry as we headed for York’s race course. Once there, we soon spotted Erin, Shelagh, Amanda and Lyndsay heading towards the start. After a quick pit-stop (for the umpteenth time that morning) I joined them and the others (Mike S, Mike G, Mark, Dave, Aidan and Ian) on the line. The nerves suddenly disappeared and I felt that if I could just get round the course, I might actually enjoy it.

The gun went off and we shuffled slowly forward towards the start. There was a shout of “C’mon the Bounders” from Derren who was in the crowd lining the road. I fell behind the rest of our little group almost immediately, as I always struggle to get my breathing under control in that first mile or so. The course took us through the village of Bishopthorpe where there was support aplenty and words of encouragement from spectators and marshals. Come the two mile point I was starting to get into my stride; I knew the course ahead was totally flat, so that only left the wind to contend with. Even though it was good to know there’d be no surprise hill around a corner, I was concerned about the monotony of the flatness. After all, with no up-hills, there were no down-hills to look forward to. Around the second mile, I was sad to see poor Erin have to pull out, due to a leg injury that’s plagued her for the last couple of months. The third and fourth miles were on long straight stretches lined with tall hedgerows, thankfully offering a little shelter from the relentless side wind. In places where the hedge broke, the wind almost knocked me clean off my feet. In the fifth mile the hedges completely disappeared and the going got a little tougher for a while. Still, at least it wasn’t raining!

As we entered the loop that would eventually fetch us back round onto the return leg, the wind was suddenly at our backs pushing us along. It felt great not to have to battle against it. This was the moment I realised how good I was feeling and that I was enjoying myself immensely. Approaching the halfway point I swear I saw angel in a hi-viz jacket, handing out jelly babies! I spent the next couple miles or so playing “leapfrog” with a gentleman who turned out to be quite an experienced half marathon runner, having completed 25 Great North Runs and almost as many Brass Monkeys and various other races. We exchanged a few words on the joys of running, before he asked me what time I was looking for. I had really wanted to try and slip in under 2:20 but to be honest I would’ve been happy with anything under 2:30. He told me he was aiming for 2:25 so if I wanted a 2:20 I had every chance of making it if I picked up my pace a little. I was still feeling quite fresh so we exchanged a final “goodbye and good luck” and I left him behind.

The next few miles rolled by surprisingly quickly. The encouraging words from every marshal I passed spurred me on. The wind was pretty much at my back all of the way home and I was having a blast! Back through Bishopthorpe and the twelve mile marker came into sight. My legs were starting to feel heavy now and the little run up and over the flyover felt almost like climbing a mountain. With great relief I finally turned into the race course and could see the finish line. I came down the home straight to hear shouts from the other Bounders and further down, a group of Elvet Striders. There was even a shout of “Where’s the Beagle?” From Durham parkrun’s event director, Alister Robson. Then I heard Derren cheering me over the line. It was all quite emotional.

All in all, I had an absolutely fantastic run and I was pleased with my 2:21, but I know I could’ve pushed a little bit harder. I’m really looking forward to shaving a few minutes off that time next year!

The race was won by Yared Hagus (Wallsend Harriers & AC) in a time of 01:06:42, and the first lady home was Felicity Milton (Woodford Green with Essex Ladies) in a time of 01:17:50. Despite the windy conditions there were many reports of PBs.

Bounders times are as follows

Ian Young 01:37:24
Aidan Hughes 01:44:20
Dave Anderson 01:44:29
Mike Gill 01:50:15
Katherine (Mike S daughter) 01:51:07
Amanda Phillips 02:01:44
Mike Swainson 02:02:34
Lyndsay Sewell 02:05:47
Shelagh Richmond 02:13:26
Mark Phillips 02:14:21
Sara Sarginson 02:21:15
Sam Crampton 02:48:30

Photographs courtesy of Flaming Photography