High Wycombe 10k & Half Marathon
The High Wycombe 10k was no easier this year but a good finish and Argos vouchers made the effort worth it!
I ran this race last year and with my return for the 2010 event I hoped the marshals would direct me correctly and I would better my 3rd place finish and time (and also complete the full 10k distance!)
The race started at 9.30am and was very well organised with both the half marathon and 10k event starting at the same time. The first km was very flat and I was happy with my 3:20 split but come the 2nd km I was less impressed! I remember from 2009 that Marlow Hill was hard work but this year it felt like a mountain! The 250feet ascent which lasted for over 1km made my next split a little slower – some 50 seconds! So I knew a PB was out the question but I was firmly in the top 3 for the 10k race so I did relax despite my watch flashing red saying my 2km split was 4:11!
The 3rd km eventually flattened out and gave me a chance to open my legs along a nice straight country lane. The weather on the day was very fair and the marshals were obviously well prepped after last years’ nightmare where they sent the first 4 runners in the wrong direction – absolutely no complaints this year, they were all very supportive and provided plenty of encouragement (even if a little bias towards the local runners!)
The half marathon and 10k races split at 5k and at this point I knew I was 2nd in the race with a few local runners close behind. Then came the nice descent and my splits were back to where I expected after my recent training. Unfortunately though there was another set of 2 sharp hills in the final 3kilometres so the race finished hard and with 3rd place closing on me and I had to really push for the finish line. I managed to come 2nd in the race in a time of 34minutes and 55seconds. Soon after the race I was informed that I joined a ‘special club’ being one of only a few runners to have cracked the 35 minute mark. Clearly the infamous “Marlow Mountain” is a tough one and the South Downs Relay training and race helped me out!
I finished the day with a rigorous massage, collected my 2nd place prize of Argos vouchers and had a chance to relax and catch up with my good Uni mate. But with one week left of school I did have to travel home so as I write this report sat on the train I am now planning my next 4 weeks of training before the Seaford Half Marathon on August 15th. If anyone fancies this 13.1 mile jolly, a few Stubbies are already signed up so let us know!
Cheers Lewis Chalk.
Report by Matt Abbott - High Wycombe Half Marathon
I was also in High Wycombe on Sunday for my first (and possibly last) attempt at the High Wycombe half marathon, and having read Lewis' report for the 10k, I would have preferred to take part in that race instead. I'm glad he got to experience the steep inclines of the shared first section of the race, where some people were walking within the first mile.
This race is within running distance of my in-laws, so I knew what to expect hill-wise and I got off to a flyer. By the half way point I was averaging 7 and a half minute miles - possibly due to nearly a whole mile of steep down hill and half a bag of jelly babies.
As soon as I passed this point though, things went downhill (unfortunately not literally), probably due to my atrocious lack of pacing. I certainly couldn't blame the excellent overcast conditions and numerous drink points. Apart from this, the locals were very supportive and managed to keep me going as my mile times worsened until I was barely jogging by the final mile (mostly uphill of course).
I finally dragged myself over the finishing line in 1:51:09 (383rd out of 987), a full 8 minutes worse than my pb. The fantastic medal and goodie bag might tempt me again, but those hills...