The Chester Marathon 2011

Ian gets to grips with the Chester hills Ian Richards relaxes after the big race

Name

Ian Richards

How old are you?

52

What’s your occupation?

Gardener, Groundsman and Historian.

How long have you been running?

18 months.

What made you decide to sign up for this race?

Wanted to try a marathon, I like Chester, and its only 50 miles from where I live.

What were your expectations for the race?

First marathon but wanted to go sub 4 hours.

What were your high and low points during the race, if any?

The highs came from the wonderful supportive crowds and marshall’s. The lows were of my own creation namely hitting the wall!!

What was the best part of the course for you?

The beautiful rural villages with their exquisite farm labourers cottages and their beautiful intricate brickwork.

What was the most challenging part of the course for you?

The incline in the latter part of the race I think between 24 and 25.

How would you describe the crowd support?

Fantastic.

What was the male/female ratio roughly in the race?

8/1.

Did you see many people running in costume?

No only one.

What was the best costume?

Man in pink mask wig and tutu.

What’s your overall verdict of the race? Give marks out of ten for the following categories:

Organisation:

8

Scenery:

8

Atmosphere:

8

Would you do it again next year?

Yes definitely.

What one tip or piece of information would you like to pass on to anyone thinking of doing this race for the first time?

The course is not as flat as I thought it would be!

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