Just a quick email to say a big THANK YOU to everyone involved in the organisation of the half marathon last Sunday. I had a great race and found all the marshals and officials helpful and supportive (despite the fact that by the time I got round they must have been standing there for ages!!!)

Hilary Glyde (time: 2:21:36

Congratulations on such an interesting and funkie website.

More so, may I send both my personal gratitude and congratulations to what was a very pleasant and succesful STUR 1/2 event. The weather was perfect (except for runners/can't have it all!) and the layout of the Info/HQ/FInish was excellent.

The course was very interesting and picturesque and the marshalling and drink stations very well placed and efficient. The sponge stations especially because of the temperatures were much appreciated. Thank you to one and all. I look forward to next year.

Keith Varnham (time: 1:54:09

It was a really good day. The timings you guys have for the days events, I think, are really good – the presentation isn't too long after people have finished so there's a better attendance, whilst at the same time, you're not giving out the winners prizes whilst a lot of people are still running. We all loved the commentary – one of the team tuned in her running radio to Vale FM and loved the running commentary and interviews, so that definitely works (although hearing that the winner finished in 1:10 whilst she still had miles to go wasn't so good to hear! )

Carole Loader (time: 1:49:19)

This is just a short note to let you know how much my wife and I enjoyed your event. It has always been one of my favourites because of the time of year and it being around my birthday. Also the various routes over the years have been very agreeable.

My first was actually on my birthday 12th August 1990 (MV69). The following year was 11th August, so in fact I was still MV69. I managed to achieve my Stur PB of 1:41:01. On Aug. 4th 1996 I was still under 2 hours (1:58:23) I lost three years having two replacement hips and was able to run 2003, 04 and 05.

Your marshals were all very kind and supportive, for the most part I had been bringing up the rear.

This year was like hitting the jackot. Apart from a very generous goody bag I was given a bottle of wine and with my token was able to get a very nice pair of socks from Blandford Sports.

I shall certainly be back again and thank you once again for a very entertaining day.

Bruce Davidson (time: 2:32:10 – and 83 year's old!)

Well done to organisers and marshals for putting on a really good event. Drink stations every 2 miles or so was excellent and well planned considering conditions. Special thanks to the lady with the hose-pipe at around 7 miles! Will certainly be back next year.

Kieron Batt

 

The "STUR" Half Marathon Sturminster Newton (6miles SW Shaftesbury)

In accordance with our Holy Marathon schedule Dom and I were to do a Half Marathon.   And as we were keen to keep the faith we scrutinised the race diary in search for a suitable venue. The closest to home was the "STUR". So as dedicated (some say obsessed) runners we prepared for the challenge.

The Days forecast was "very warm, with little or no wind". Friends and family raised their concern for our well being, and even suggested that we back out, but hey!!   We were Corsham Runners in training for a MARATHON this was a measly HALF (famous last words!).  

The name had a nice "Olde Worlde" ring to it calling up images of sedate country folk drinking cider and ale living a blissful and carefree existence. Imagine our surprise when on our approach we could see the expanding Town rise up in the distance. It dispelled any expectant image of a quaint one-horse town right away. The course itself promised to be mainly flat with some undulation. The sceptic in me thought "yea sure "after the rollercoaster ride we had getting there. The well sign-posted route brought us quickly to the starting area and plenty of parking was to be had on our arrival. There was a wonderful carnival feeling in the air, which lifted our spirits and made us feel quite proud to be runners. (Famous last thoughts). We quickly assembled eager to be off, unperturbed by the rising temperature and the first signs of heavy sweat trickling down our backs. On offer were assorted sport drinks and mineral water, very impressive.

Before I go on and describe our "ordeal" I must point out that the race organisation and handling were fantastic, the route was picturesque, and the local support was tremendous.

Suddenly we were off. I knew after the first couple of miles that this was going to be a tough one because I just couldn't find a settled rhythm and my breathing was heavier than usual. I realise now that this was due to the intense heat, which we hadn't really appreciated before hand. The going got tougher as the day got hotter, and each mile seemed to stretch out longer and longer.

At this juncture in my story I would just like to thank the mother and son who saved my life that day, when they hosed me down with two gallons of delicious cold water.   I can't remember at what point in the race this happened but I know I was at melting point ready to blow.   This was the theme throughout the race. People were fantastic. There were designated drink and sponge stations round the course but these modern day saints realised that the exceptional heat required their support.  

Running along the lanes with the high hedges on each side was a strange and surreal experience. The heat rising from the hot tarmac distorted your vision, creating two headed, creatures on four legs far in the distance. The mind was certainly playing tricks that day. It was that hot I could smell the rubber rising from the soles of my feet; it was not an enjoyable experience!

After an age it seemed, I reached half way, and this is when I made a serious error. My time, which was called out by a marshal, indicated that I was running slower than I had predicted, even though my heart rate monitor insisted I maintain the same pace. Inexperience or bad judgement made me increase my pace; this caused me to suffer badly in the later stages. Truly a case when I should have let my heart rule my head.

Many more incidents occurred along the way to the end of the race, far too many for this report, you will have to wait until the book comes out     ("How to lose two stones in two hours") before you can appreciate the rest. However I can't finish this tale without mentioning the Nuns, - yes Nuns! At about three-quarters of the way around we approached a sign which read, "Holy Water". Thinking it was yet another trick of the heat I pushed on.   What beheld my eyes I'll never forget. Up ahead there was another sign next to a water and sponge station, which read "Nuns on the Run".   At the station four lunatics were dressed in the full Nuns' regalia, making no attempt at handing out the water.   No, their duty was to dispatch as much water and sponges on their victims' heads as they could. All I can say is that they received no complaints from me that day. I offered up my head at the altar with as much humility, and gratitude as I could muster, and was duly baptised.

With a cleansed spirit, and renewed vigour I pushed on. It didn't last long though, for all too soon we were back amongst the living dead. Eventually I crossed the finish line and collapsed into a heap on the grass, grateful for the soft bed to lay done my weary bones.

If nothing else the race taught me many valuable lessons which I'll put to good use, if I ever have the notion to run in a heat-wave again.

I would most certainly run this course again and would recommend it to all, but only if it is much, much, cooler. It is a well-organised and supported event. Don't let my experience put you off, it was the conditions nothing else.       So see you all next year?

By John Reid and Dominic O'Connor – Corsham Runners