November / December maras - Events

Jeepers

11/07/2011 at 15:55

I was due to have done Luton last year (as my first mara) but couldn't because I became ill. I've now recovered and have started training again and would like to do one this year. I've looked at Luton, but they've brought it forward by a few weeks and I'm not sure (after 7 - 8 months out) that I'll be ready by then.

I know it's the wrong end of the year, yes, I've checked the Events tab, no I'm not a Fetchie and I've searched around t'interweb, but there's not much around.

I just wondered whether anyone knew of any mara around the back end of November - December time, possibly even January that they'd recommend. I live in Hampshire, so it would need to be within reasonable travelling distance of here and preferably, "on-road" rather than off-road.

Ta in advance for any suggestions.

UltraCas

11/07/2011 at 16:02

There's the Porstmouth Coastal mara in Dec.....not sure if it is on or off road but I'm thinking about doing it as I went to uni in Pompey so it'd be nice to go back for a race

emdee

11/07/2011 at 16:48

I can recommend the Portsmouth Coastal one. It's mostly on promenade and cycle paths but with short sections on shingle beaches. It's pancake flat though and was a quick race last year in mild weather. I suspect that if the weather's bad, it could be an entirely different experience.

UltraCas

11/07/2011 at 16:52

But it's always windy in Pompey! I've just entered

Nam

11/07/2011 at 17:02

Not sure about road ones... Isn't one of the latest road ones Chester first week of October, and then Luton in November... so a bit early for you.

May be an off-road one for you at that time of year.

Dunno if you've seen this list? There are a few "TBC" there...

http://www.marathonrunnersdiary.com/races/uk-marathon-list.php

Edited: 11/07/2011 at 17:06

JeremyG

11/07/2011 at 17:19

I'm in Portsmouth too - only thing to be aware of is that they don't have a UKAA licence I believe. Which means if you need it as a qualifier then it might not count.
I was planning that (doh!) so will have to add another and do Portsmouth for fun - and a week before Christmas gives a good excuse for a good pig out!!

Jeepers

11/07/2011 at 21:07

Thanks very much for all the advice, Portsmouth would certainly fit the bill, although with only 500 entries, I doubt if I'd get a place as I don't want to commit just yet, but the timing would be perfect, giving me another 4 weeks on Luton.

Thanks for the link, Nam, I'd also found it, but interestingly enough, they only list the endurance mara for December.

limper

11/07/2011 at 23:13

Portsmouth mara is great. Well organised and well marshalled. I think even if the weather was worse it wouldn't be too bad along much of the route (although the Eastern Road section could be evil!).
It's on my doorstep and I'll be doing it again this year.

Jeepers - it might be worth emailing the RO. I got the impression from someone else last year that he was very helpful about late entries.

Ben Davies 15

11/07/2011 at 23:48

There is the Endurancelife Portland in December.

Jeepers

12/07/2011 at 07:35

Thanks for that suggestion, limper, I might do that. After so many years of non-running related problems interrupting training and preventing me from doing my first mara, I thought that I'd cracked it last year, only to go down just as I was about to taper. It was a grim start to the year, so I'd really like to end it on a high note, a metaphorical "up yours" if you like.

Thanks Ben, I'd seen that one too, but I only run on road, so I'm not sure about the terrain etc - might not be suitable, but certainly one to think about.