In 2016, I had made my debut at this testosterone fuelled race but felt that I still had more to give on the final couple of kms. Cleverly, the race organisers send out emails inviting you to sign-up for the next event within a few days of competing, with the carrot of early-bird prices.
I felt there was unfinished work so entered again without a second thought.
After the Kielder Marathon in October, I had done a couple of easy weeks, punctuated by a tough hill-run to chase a bus between Hillend and West Linton along the tops.
Sunday 5th November was dry and cool, but sunny so that shorts & t-shirt were sufficient with my windtop. This year, they had laid out four start pens, coloured white, red, yellow & green. White was for the elites, I was in the red.
The usual mad sprint down the Mound and then some jostling into the Princes St gardens before the field started to spread out into the High Street. I noticed at least a couple of female club runners setting a good pace and tried to keep up with them. I managed to pass them before Dynamic Earth, but they overtook me as we joined the Western Approach road.
Passing under the bridge of Morrison Street, I heard an approaching siren from behind, then shouts of other runners warning us to get into the side as an ambulance came roaring past. That added a wee spurt to everyone's pace but the long straight flatness of the old-railway line killed me again. Although I was up on my 2016 time, I still came in well over 41mins.
41m38s 199/1593
