After completing the Brighton Marathon with my slowest ever time, 5hrs 10mins, I went into this marathon with a reserved outlook: less excited and more nervous.
In the hotel room the night before, I tried to relax and get a good night’s kip, the only problem is, that I am very rarely able to sleep early the night before a marathon! However, I did eventually get to sleep and it turned out to be a peaceful one at that.
The morning of the marathon was upon me, and I have never run Manchester before. After a few parking troubles, I arrived at the start with plenty of time to soak up the Manchester Marathon atmosphere. I was pleasantly surprised with how many clean toilet cubicles were readily available, and amazed with how many runners there were for this event!
I stretched and warmed up in sea of runners at the start line, and that’s when the nerves started to kick in. But as the elites set of, and the waves in front started to move forward, I began to relax.
I wanted a 4hrs 30mins completion time, so I started running with one of the pacers. It wasn’t only me, this pacer had a large group with him, which in turn kept me focused. This was completely different to Brighton, from a mental perspective, partly because I felt like I was flying along the course, mile after mile. The water stations were well stocked and the volunteers were brilliant with providing fluid for myself and the pacer.
The crowds in Manchester were amazing and so encouraging, with every step I took and every mile I conquered, they were backing me and everyone else to the hill, screaming encouragement and high fiving all the way, I was blown away by the support.
The course boasts itself as being the flattest in the UK, and this is certainly true. However, what I didn’t expect was lovely scenery and fantastic views, a side to Manchester I never thought existed.
I reached mile 25 without any problems and still felt fresh, even though my legs were tired and heavy, I still managed to pick up my pace towards the home straight.
Still the crowds were shouting with waves of support, waves that carried me towards the finish line. I felt like I was flying; I know I was smiling and the pictures sure show it, but with 200 meters to go, my heart was pounding and I was so close –Â nearly another medal in the bag!
I crossed the finish in 4hrs and 26mins!
I was over the moon, the finish line volunteers congratulated me with smiles and put the finisher’s medal round my neck.
The goodie bag was one of the best I’ve had: the finisher’s t-shirt was amazing and fit nicely, the bag was also packed with fruit, protein bars and chocolate as well as glucose tablets and a drink. A nice touch was being given alcohol at the finish line, courtesy of Erdinger alcohol, but I loved the protein shake from MyProtein, it certainly aided my recovery helped me feel more awake!
The Manchester Marathon will always be one that stays with me, and will always be one that I will return to again and again. It was well worth the entry fee and well worth the travel, highly recommended!
Martin Mead
