Cardiff Half Marathon
15th October 2006
Report by Terry Dobson
After numerous comments from Triathlon Club members about my collection of vintage race T-shirts and my failure to find one more recent than 1999 when rummaging in the bottom of my wardrobe to find acceptable kit to wear for 21st century Tuesday night running sessions, I decided it was time to seek something more contemporary. The Cardiff Half Marathon seemed likely to provide a T-shirt with long term investment potential, so I entered. Unfortunately on arrival in Cardiff city centre on the morning of the event it turned out that it was not one of those races where they give you your T-shirt and goody bag before the start, I actually had to run the whole distance. After asking myself how much I really needed a new T-shirt and whether it would be easier just to wait until the shops in the St Davids Centre opened I decided to join the 9000 other runners at the start in St Mary Street and headed off in the direction of the (now magnificently regenerated) docks. At about 3 miles I struck up a conversation with fellow veteran runner and garment collector Barry from Worcester and our discussion on whether the 1985 Swansea Bay 10k T-shirt had held its value and whiteness better than the 1986 version kept us occupied until we returned to the cheering crowds in the town centre at around 6 miles. From 7 to 9 miles the course goes down Cathedral Road, into Sophia Gardens and around Pontcanna Fields. For me this is usually the toughest part of a half marathon as I realise I still have to run another 10k with my legs beginning to tire but it turned out that 40 years ago Barry did his teaching practice in Greenhill School. So the adventures of a 20 year old student teacher in the pre-politically correct, pre-National Curriculum world of the late 1960s kept me entertained as we passed a thousand football pitches, and it seemed that in no time the city centre crowds were cheering us again as we crossed the River Taff. The last 3 miles around Bute Park and back through Cardiff Castle were (apart from the grasscrete bit) a pleasure and I finished to tumultuous applause in the Millennium Stadium (although it is possible the applause might not all have been for me). The time, spot on my target of 1 hour 40; the T-shirt, saved in my wardrobe for a first appearance on a Tuesday night in maybe 2011.
I did not see any of the other Tri Club members while I was up there but they all did excellent times. Lee Wells finished in a blistering 1.26.38, Val Brown in 1.46.48 and Dave Howells 1.54.26. Be careful Dave, too many times like that will get you blackballed by the Picnic Club.
If you are thinking of running a half marathon next year then I thoroughly recommend Cardiff. Flat, fast, great for any loved ones who want to watch as much as possible of your achievement/suffering and fabulous views of our capital city. And at the finish a chance to sprint (save some energy for this) along the touchline at the Millennium Stadium pretending to be Shane Williams with the roar of the crowd in your ears. What could be better than that?
Results:
|
Name
|
Time
|
Lee Wells |
1:26:38 |
Terry Dobson |
1:40:10 |
Val Brown |
1:46:48 |
Lucy Elcomb |
1:49:22 |
Dave Howells |
1:54:26 |
For full results, please click here.
