Overall? An amazing race – the crowds really made it – the fast route, excellent bling and top organisation created an event I not only loved but will remember for a long time.
The Virgin Sports Hackney Half has been a race I’ve been looking forward ever since signing up late last year. The reports of a road closed, popular 13.2 with great crowds attracted me.
Around 20,000 runners, twice the number as last year, took part as the sun shone gloriously across the heath. Pre-Race was busy, lots of queuing for bag check and toilets, but everything was well organised with so many participants in attendance.
The course weaves around Hackney and its incredible crowds (at points I just soaked it in: the children sharing sweets; residents cheering from their balconies; thousands of placard adoring supporters clapping) taking in the Olympic Park at the end before coming back into an insanely loud finishing funnel. The intensity of support really motivated me and I found I was doing a fair bit more smiling than I usually would during 13.2 miles.
Whilst the route started on the grass of the park, where festival warm up and dozens of stalls were kicking off, it quickly turned to tarmac and the roads provided an excellent flat surface (always notifying clearly when the route narrowed or an obstacle – such a traffic island – appeared). A number of pacers were spread out through the pens, though some runners had clearly placed themselves in the wrong ones leading to congestion towards the start (Though the wide roads helped). The only thing in the way of a truly blistering time then was the conditions, no shade to be found at all in the final two miles which exacerbated the heat.
Facilities wise there was a secured baggage drop, lots of busy toilets and urinals, food/drink outlets, festival stage (with lots of entertainment taking place) changing rooms and drinking water. At the end of the race water, fruit, a nut bar, hydration tablets and vegetable crisps were to be found. One of the standouts was the regular hydration points as well as gel/jelly babies. Water was on hand every 1.5 miles which given the pounding sun was extremely welcome.
The bling was excellent: a heavy and beautifully designed medal; a quality technical t-shirt; and a tote bag with some food bits inside.
Overall? An amazing race – the crowds really made it – the fast route, excellent bling and top organisation created an event I not only loved but will remember for a long time.
Personal running stats
Time – 1:57:53
PBs – my first sub-2 half, 10mile, 15/20k
Report – Found the final two miles hard because of the heat but otherwise very comfortable pace wise, seems training helps!
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