UK 2002 Marathon Calendar

Did anybody do the Thanet Coastal Marathon in 2002 ?
What is the course like undualating, flat or hilly ?
Nice Course ?

As I am thinking of that for a PB later this year but want something a little flatter than the New Forest Marathon


Posted: 22/01/2003 at 10:45

Hi Jackie,

I did it last year and plan to do it again this year to go for my personal best (I did it as a long training run last year).

The course is mostly flat (along the seafront). There are a couple of hills but they are short and are at the beginning of the race. I think this course has real PB potential - the only thing that could get in the way is that there is a high probability for it to be windy - being on the coast and all that. Having said that it's an out-and-back course, so if a head- wind on way out, should get some help on the way back (sidewind could be a pig).

The weather was calm last year but very wet. This affected the turn-out (about 100 runners) and crowd support. I ran a lot of it on my own as nobody was running at my pace.

IT'S 10 TIMES EASIER THAN THE NEW FOREST (I've done both). I thought the hills would never end. Even with a sea breeze, Thanet will be much easier to run than the New Forest.

If conditions are calm and weather is good, I think Thanet would be an ideal marathon to run. Fast and crowd support from people on the seafront will help you 'round.

Go for it.
Posted: 22/01/2003 at 13:19

I think it depends on your definition of hills. I marshalled (unexpectedly) and ran about half of it last year. It is windy and there are some inclines, but none more than 0.25 mile and none too steep, as far as I know.

There is one incline at about mile 23 which karaoke seems to have obliterated from memory.

Regards

djb



Posted: 22/01/2003 at 14:55

David,

you mean that little hill up from Margate Harbour at 23 miles mark? Only about 150 yards long , so won't slow you down much.

New forest has hills that last for several miles - that's what I call hills.

cheers

Posted: 22/01/2003 at 15:25