The 2nd Blackminster Half Marathon is a success!
Despite the biting cold and blustery conditions 260 runners finished the 2nd Blackminster Half with the lead male Simon Massey beating last years winner by 1 minute and 11 seconds in a time of 1:16:16 and the lead female Michelle Parsons beating last years fastest lady by 22 seconds in a time of 1:29:08, well done to you both.
The atmosphere at the finish was as lively as last year all thanks to the Evesham Hospital Radio, whose tent disintegrated in the wind and had to relocate to Race HQ. It wasn’t a total loss for them, as they’re a charity we’ve bought them a new one that’ll withstand the weather a little better and ensure they come back in 2014 to cheer those with tired legs over the finish line once again.
All in all it was a good day and the feared forecast of rain/sleet didn’t materialise (thankfully!)
Our thanks have to go out to all of the helpers who gave up their Mothers Day morning to stand in the cold and cheer you all on.
We haven’t completed our accounts yet for this years race but as soon as we have we’ll post the final figure to be given away on the Race Results and Feedback page.
On a last note, thanks to everyone who has given us feedback through email, Facebook and in online forums, we’re glad you liked it. We’ve had to copy one such email below. Hope you don’t mind us copying it here Andrew, your more eloquent with words than we are.
Blackminster Half – “The Scorpion Run”
Scorpions are renowned for the “sting in the tail”. A quick internet search highlighted the following effects of a scorpion sting:
- Immediate pain or burning.
- Sweating.
- Fast breathing.
- Fast heartbeat.
- Heightened blood pressure.
- Uncontrolled saliva production.
- Respiratory wheezing.
The organisers of The Blackminster Half have given their race the moniker of “The Scorpion Run” and enjoy references to the sting in the tail. As this was the second running of the race, presumably, they anticipated that a number of masochists would happily return or assumed that twelve months would have numbed the memory.
After an initial right turn out of a village the route tends to follow a left hand loop. There is barely a flat stretch on the course with the first 4 miles tending to be a gentle climb before several miles of downhill respite. The relief is followed by a short, sharp incline ahead of the 8 mile marker and the course continues to climb gradually until the steepest part of the route, a downhill opportunity to release the brakes and fly past the 11 mile marker.
There was a second right turn just after 10 miles, a point at which a sadistical marshal was delighting in telling every passing runner that they can soon find out all about the sting in the tail. The organisers desire for you not to forget about it borders on the obsessive. [Colin - the marshals just like to see the look on everyone's faces!]
A few hundred yards short of 12 miles the route takes a left hand turn. As you approach the mile marker the road starts to climb away from you, bending away to the left and obscuring the crest from view.
I’d liken the climb, for those that know it, to running up Standhills Road as far as Granville Drive / The Portway. 0.4 miles. After a warm-up mile from the club then you could well be in an optimal state for the effort.
After 12 miles, the effects resemble being stung by a scorpion!
Everybody will judge races based on different expectations:
- If a well organised race, enthusiastically marshalled on a challenging course around extremely quiet country lanes is what you’re looking for then The Blackminster Half will tick most of the boxes.
Money Raised (and promptly donated to charity)
In 2012 with your help we managed to raise £3,249.51 for local charities.
We haven’t finalised the 2013 accounts yet but hope to have exceeded what was raised in 2012.
We would like to thank the following local businesses for sponsoring the 2013 event, their help and support is greatly appreciated:
