I awoke rather sprightly and with bags prepared the night before, it was a quick porridge, coffee and bowel check before setting off in darkness toward the south coast. The weather forecast could not have been kinder and when dawn did break it broke gloriously.
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| First light |
All safety pinned up and chipped, with the usual motherly advice from the girlfriend of "eat some more banana", I was all set and joined the front of the pack to escape the hill traffic. The start of the Beachy Head Marathon is nuts - though not quite as nuts as the Picnic - with a colossal hill marking the first few hundred metres, it really is a sign of things to come. The clock struck nine and away we went.
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| Up on the first hill overlooking the start/finish line |
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| The 'out and back' route map |
It's a very difficult race to pace given the hilly profile. The approach I take is to run the uphill, hold back on the downhill and nigh on flat-out on anything resembling level ground. I kept to this rather well and inevitably it was only at the very end (Seven Sisters and Beachy Head herself) where I had to walk the steeper climbs.
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| New version: Route profile and checkpoints |
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| Old version: Wasn't life sweet before technology |
Broken down per checkpoint, the race went as follows:
CP1 / 09:35 / 0-7k / Total elevation Gain/Loss of 186/169m
Probably for the first year I ran the initial hill such was my desire to push for a 'competitive' time, but as always ran cautious and concentrated on damage limitation knowing just how tough the final six miles are. Everyone at this stage is quite chatty and full of beans and in my opinion many set off far too quickly. A tough little up-up-up, down-down-down section with the first water station in sight before you know it.
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| Power those arms |
CP2 / 10:12 / 7-14k / Total elevation Gain/Loss of 214/212m
The run to checkpoint two involves a considerable amount of incline/decline with two notable climbs. Here the route gets muddy or 'fun' however you see it. For those in road shoes (me) it is quite a job staying on two feet. I was feeling really nimble on the climbs even though still early into the race, there was zero grimacing and I was in good spirits.
CP3 / 10:45 / 14-20k / Total elevation Gain/Loss of 188/103m
After a banana and various coloured drinks, it was next to the halfway-ish point of Bostal Hill. Here I would see my girlfriend (beloved support crew) for the first time with instructions to have spare trainers, nutrition, fluids and encouragement ready should I require any - she's brilliant. The exit from checkpoint two is a mud slide and sets you off down a slippery slope (literally) before a long drawn out climb for the remainder of the third section. I chugged along at a decent click feeling comfortable knowing this would be the highest point of the race. The weather 'up there' can be a little blowy but for this year it was absolutely perfect - mild, dry and calm. I hit 20k in an hour 45 and after the briefest of moments I said ta-ta to the girlfriend, with a re-filled Camelbak for the second half.
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| Preparing for a quick refill at CP3 |
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| Heading off for the fast descent of Bostal Hill |
CP4 / 11:21 / 20-27k / Total elevation Gain/Loss of 54/166m
I'll learn one day that there really is no point trying to stomach a Snickers en route in a race. I'll also learn one day that holding it for 5k in my hand before trying to stomach it will just be a terribly messy affair. Hopefully I have now learnt. Other than that, the run to checkpoint four is basically a 'weeeeeeeeee!' moment, being entirely downhill. I was clocking some pleasant sub-five kilometres which was vastly improving my average speed and suggesting a tidy ETA in to Eastbourne. Nice and easy I reached the village of Litlington and the fourth checkpoint, ready to run the tough stuff.
CP5 / 12:14 / 27-36k / Total elevation Gain/Loss of 356/393m
The farthest distance between checkpoints together with just short of 400m of incline/decline, makes this a very tough section. Directly after leaving the checkpoint you are met by a fierce winding hill before a mean staircase of uneven steps spits you out of the forest. I managed to at the very least fast-walk these. Before hitting the Seven Sisters there is a long incline offering the most spectacular views of the Cuckmere river. It is really all you can do but stop and stare - one day I really must slow down and enjoy the views. Previously I have had to fall back to a walk at this stage of the race but no such thought this time around. My legs felt strong and responsive and I took the Sisters in my stride. The views up there never cease to amaze me.
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| Coming in to Birling Gap - the final checkpoint |
FIN / 12:44 / 36-42k / Total elevation Gain/Loss of 159/124m
My girlfriend lovingly awaiting me at Birling Gap with just six kilometres to Eastbourne. This final run to the finish can either be hell or joy simply by way of how you are feeling mentally. My spirits were up, all that I took on were some fluids and away I went. The route follows the road along the coast and as is now customary, my girlfriend will drive by honking the horn - hopefully keeping her eyes on the road! Mentally you are beginning to switch off and making simple calculations becomes overly difficult. I eventually worked out that I could get a sub 3:45 here if I kept at it, and limited any walking. The climb to Beachy Head never seems to end and this can be quite slow going, but thereafter it is a downhill sprint for a good kilometre plus.
There really aren't many moments in life that equal the exhilaration equal to those final steps to crossing the line. Cresting the top of the hill, with hoards of supporters and volunteers applauding your arrival and accomplishment is truly special. I had a good pace coming down off the hill and a check of the watch confirmed that I'd be good for time. Back on tarmac, with clenched fists and gritted teeth I was ecstatic having bettered my time of last year by 12 minutes as I hit the finish line.
Hunched over in the finishing area two ladies came up to me and asked excitedly for my age - a bizarre request I thought. It happened that they were awaiting the first 18-20 year old for a special award that was being presented. Chuffed by their enquiry, I was honest and confirmed respectively that I was a little north of that particular age range. Thank you ladies.
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| Note the sprint as I see I've 5 seconds till 3:45 |
One of the benefits of finishing higher up is that all is a lot calmer around the finish line and there is peace in the changing rooms. It has now been 2 years that I have finished fast enough to catch 7-time winner Stuart Mills after the race. Last weekend I got chatting to him and asked just how he runs such ridiculous times. Apparently you run everything. Certainly sounds simple.
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| Medal shot |
Congratulations goes to my girlfriend's cousin Dan Brooks, who having come to support me in 2013, was so inspired as to enter this year for his first marathon. Brilliant to see you finish with a smile and glad to hear you'll be running again next year!
Images: www.robin-web.co.uk/beachyhead/
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