We arrived at the start line early and assembled with Rachel, Yvonne from MB, the Hayle contingent and Emma and Suzy from CAC. Oh yes, I forgot the Dalek (pic below) but I didn’t really see it as a
competitor as I was only after a PB and not dominance of the Universe. Race number 1037 shows
how much I was prepared to lie to get a good start position. The young lady did look a bit askance
when she saw the grey haired chap with the elite boys.
Great conditions marked a fast start and before long we were greeted with the big city half
Marathon tradition of the elite runners coming back towards you on the little loops that get added
to make the distance. You feel so envious when these guys are speeding by on the other side of
the road but less so when its your turn of course.
At about 5 miles I was passed by a young chap wearing street clothes with a sweat mark the size
of Australia on his back. Did he think we chasing taxis or the pubs were open? Or did he think it
was complete bull about wearing the correct shoes etc? Of course the stain on his back could
have been alcohol.

Get to Bute Park and to be quite honest you’re dying for a hill to break the monotony and probably
thin the field out as the track is very narrow with the Taff to your left. By ten miles I’m thinking a PB
Is definitely on so its gritted teeth time although the locals think I’m smiling.
Come out of the park and the crowds which have been subdued earlier now make a bit of a noise
and everyone responds with a quicker pace. One poor chap gets cramp about 150 metres from
the finish and tries to frog it over the line. Get over the line and its a PB by 18 seconds.
Wait at the finish looking for the Duchess who today is being a Samaritan by bullying and cajoling
our friend Kathryn from Hayle to a maiden sub 2 of 1.56. We’re proud of you Wen. Coach in the
making there.

Rachel greets us with a PB which is great news after her recent set backs.
Well done young lady. Our mate Mike gets in with a thumping PB and then its off to the
presentation where a small but noisy Cornish contingent are very proud to cheer Emma from CAC
who is 3rd lady home and Suzy gets a 1st in her age group. Well done ladies.

Three lads walk past us wearing MacMillan Cancer sponsorship vests and all smoking. It should
be the other way round lads. Off to the nearest watering hole to celebrate our achievements and
exaggerate how difficult it had been.
The city was buzzing for the rest of the day as Cardiff were playing at the Millenium and their win
ensured there was plenty of atmosphere particularly in the restaurant we ended up in. When one
of the Cardiff players came in, all the lads in there took their shirts off as a salute which was far
more entertaining for the ladies than the “tonight Matthew I’m going to murder David Gray” singer.
This is a cracking race and should be on your list to do. Very fast course is slightly boring but as
flat as a witches whatnot and you have many famous landmarks to view. Well organised start and
finish which is all you need. Plenty of accommodation and loads of pubs and restaurants all make
for a good weekend.