Bedford Harriers Half-Marathon

For me it was a 1.47.47 (my watch). Good run actually, a minute better than last year (although weather was much better). The sweatshirt was a first - always a good quality memento here. Saw Tim (Post his cuppa - I bet it was Hashette) and Return to Bletchley but had to dash down to the Race of Champions at Wembley.

Club shirts don't impress me much.   Anyone can join a running club and sport a garish vest.    What impresses me is those that don't take themselves too seriously and have a laugh.   

Tom Craggs 2 wrote (see)

 If you want to monitor/log your achievements and race progress then you could try www.fetcheveryone.com

Tom,

Thanks so much for the tip, it's a great website!  Macmillan have been on the phone today and I've got a guarenteed place for Paris next year!  I've pledged to raise £1,000 and in return they pay for everything so that's pretty sweet, I think I'll use that fetch website to keep me motivated.  At the moment the thought of having to do the Bedford half twice seems impossible!

Cheers mate

For those who do not know

 - and have little experience in attending events like yesterday - any newbies example , anyone nervous or shy - don't be  

I can tell you now -

( Tim of MK ) & ( Brooks The beast ) are two of the best guys you could wish to meet - Hashette, she's changed name over festive hols - but she's also a star

Yes, they love what they do - buy they also encourage a sence of humour- of course they like a fast time like anyone else, but if they don't get it - then they don't -

you can talk to them seriously or just keep it completely fun

some i don't know as well - so please don't feel left out  

Oooh this was such a lovely HM! Did it in 2:05, only my second one but more than 11 minutes faster than my first one, so overall I'd say that this was a great course, with no hills to speak of, with lovely marshalls who encouraged me when I must have looked like I was going to throw up, and I felt it was a lovely atmosphere for beginners - especially at the back, everyone was sooo nice...

And also a huge thank you to the man in the hiviz tshirt with whom I ran most of the way (hem, I was much behind you in the last mile), I have no idea who you are, but you are the reason I ran so well - so a big thank you wherever you are!!

Signing off on this thread now........... but will seriously consider this event for next year.

It's one way of keeping me training into December

Tim,

(not taking your comments too seriously, but just making a general point)

Running is for everyone: 30,000 runners can be in the London Marathon and 30,000 can win...by getting a PB, or by running all the way, or by just finishing.

However, having "fun" runners make derogatory remarks about "serious" runners is just as bad as vice versa however. We all run for different reasons. I stood just over the finish and cheered every runner over the line, but when I run races I'm "serious" about it. Sorry to get "serious" about this too...but I get offended by this slow vs fast argument when it surfaces periodically...

Beginners. This race is definitely good for beginners - Bedford Harriers had about 12 of our beginners group (who started running in April) complete in times ranging from 1:50 to 2:30 - in a field this large, they felt they had others to run with. They wore club vests too.

Mick n Phil - always a pleasure to see you - and agree entirely with you - running makes me feel better emotionally, physically, socially, ...there are so many reasons to run...

All - we are so aware of the car parking problem - would one of you like to offer a viable alternative? - or persuade Bedford to close the roads and let us do a "Great Bedford Run" in the town centre?

It was a great day, we all enjoyed putting on the show, and I have worn my sweatshirt every day this week to work.

See you all next year I hope,

Tony

Tony,

 Yes the car parking is a challenge.I did notice a lot mroe people walkign from car park 2 at Argos this year. Its actually not too far on arrival but might feel a little far back after the race.

 I guess your point though is there is no close alternative whilst it is in Wootton. I know you parked i nthe field by the start once but as it is uphill to get out that was even more difficult.

Could you perhaps use the Elstow Park and Ride and run buses ? Cost is the trouble plus, although a Sunday, it is close to Christmas so the park and ride might be busy..

 Moving to Bedford itself would be interesting but Traffic there is bad enough at the best of times !! The other option might be to turn the course around and run from the Cranfield end and perhaps use Cranfield University facilities.

 Having said all of that I like the course where it is so I think it is just a case of caryy on and people use the Argos Car park 2 if they are really worried about getting stuck.