Race Report

Blackpool (Half) Marathon Sunday 27 April 2008

Two Deestriders got up ridiculously early to make the trip north to Blackpool for this hugely popular double event with its 9 am start. Despite the coastal location the weather was on board as there was virtually no wind but plenty of rain to cool everyone down.   Nick Chadwick competed in the half marathon, whilst Phil Taylor went double the distance in his marathon debut.  Martin Witty, a very impressive new club member, was unfortunately unable to take part due to a recent back injury.

Nick, who has had a difficult time recently with illness and injury, is clearly beginning to put his racing troubles behind him as he posted a very strong 1.43.56. At the 13.1 mile point, Phil was no doubt wishing he could join his teammate but had to find the mentality to do it all again despite the fact that most spectators had only been geared up for a half and there was therefore a relative lack of support.  He probably felt as crazy as the few passing dogwalkers thought he was but in typical Phil style, he pushed on to the end in a tremendous 4.18.25.  With the tough Snowdonia marathon coming up later this year, the 4.15 barrier is looking under threat.  One gets the feeling that the vastly improving Phil has a sub-4 to come somewhere in the future.

How these guys managed to keep Blackpool’s traditional fish & chips down afterwards is a mystery but anyway, they deserved it!