tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239245012223205994.post6688887170313350309..comments2024-03-15T00:14:15.378-07:00Comments on Nice Work: Saturday 25th March 2017 The Monsal Trail Half Marathon - SaturdayRon Hill's Alter Egohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17440173092442552504noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239245012223205994.post-76783721502134293952017-03-26T03:22:39.456-07:002017-03-26T03:22:39.456-07:00Loved this race, beautiful route that was well sig...Loved this race, beautiful route that was well signed with plenty of drinks stations (i really appreciates the jelly beans towards the end!). Very well organised and a great vibe, and what a fab tshirt and medal! Definitely will be booking on for next years event. Thanks to all the organisers, volunteers, marshalls and paticipants for a great day. And thanks to all the public trail users who were lovely - I appreciated the cheers and encouragement and everyone was so friendly and courteous. Highly recommended.ILoveRunninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00928212652916842084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239245012223205994.post-38711782305143929062017-03-26T00:32:04.844-07:002017-03-26T00:32:04.844-07:00Drinks and biscuits were available but may have be...Drinks and biscuits were available but may have been hidden by the crowd.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03685539767922992067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239245012223205994.post-39020197997413539522017-03-25T16:50:19.848-07:002017-03-25T16:50:19.848-07:00Really nice race. Was looking forward to this one ...Really nice race. Was looking forward to this one after seeing the weather forecast which was for cool, still and very sunny weather. (A nice reward after enduring rain at Wilmslow last week and heavier rain still at Heaton Park M/cr a couple of weeks before).<br />Indeed weather and terrain condition was perfect. Great atmosphere at the start line and a nice relaxed feel to the whole thing. A little late setting off but this was a good call as people were still queuing for the toilets so good that they waited til everyone was ready. (Only a minor point, but 6 portaloos for a field of almost 400 seemed a little sparse and the queue was HUGE!)<br />So a straight run up the trail to Millers Dale and back, which is near as damn it flat all the way. (Good for me as I have no hills whatsoever to train on anywhere near where I live!) The trail was of course open to the public and being a gorgeous day the walkers & cyclists were plentiful. The route got quite busy at some points and care was needed, but I hope us runners didn't upset anyone too much by being there, as it would be such a shame if any complaints prevented it being run again next, and hopefully every year from now. (A big THANK YOU to all who used the trail whilst we were running for showing us patience and courtesy and I hope all the runners were equally courteous back..)<br />The drinks stations were ample at every 3 miles or so and as the starter said it was indeed fairly impossible to get lost! The trail itself and views are beautiful; passing open countryside, woodland, valleys and fields as well as 3 (6 after the return leg) long tunnels, and over the amazing viaduct as you approach Millers Dale. (My Garmin was rendered fairly useless after the first tunnel and I soon gave up trying to estimate my pace! However because of the way they keep re-finding their signal again on a straight-line basis from when they last had a signal, the tunnels having a slightly curved path meant I'd run a little further than my watch suggested and so the mile markers were soon coming up quicker than my watch said!- which meant the finish seemed nearer too! -'Got to be a good thing!)<br />The medal was great (though I'm afraid no goody bag, biscuit, banana or even offer of a drink at the finish line! Did I just miss out or was this the same for all!?) Then a relaxing walk back into Bakewell in the sun ended a great experience. <br />A thoroughly enjoyable race I'd definitely do again. I couldn't imagine a nicer way to spend Saturday morning!<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10286251098397606858noreply@blogger.com