Race Report: Brass Monkey Half Marathon written by Andrew Ball:
On what can only be described as a day where it was ‘Brass Monkeys’ it was a very wet and cold start to the Brass Monkey Half Marathon in York. 12 Elswick Harriers started what is described as a quick and flat course, alas only 11 finished as Steve Robertson, recently injured was brave enough to start but had to pull out much to his obvious disappointment.
The race started in very wet conditions but as the race went on the weather improved, unlike last year there wasn’t much wind but you could feel it slightly on the most exposed part of the course miles 4-6. There was lots of puddles and mud on the road but that wasn’t slowing anybody down.
As you approach the half way point you come through the village of Appleton Roebuck and are met with usual cow bells and cheering from the locals, that really gives you a boost as you start the second half of the race and it was much needed!
The second half of the race takes you in a loop and back down on a long stretch towards York Racecourse, again locals are out cheering you on telling you ‘Your nearly there!’ at 11 mile, I’ve got to say there are more helpful things to shout when your legs are aching and you are digging in!
Eventually York Racecourse came into sight and you can hear the announcer shouting people’s clubs and names you know you are close. As a finish it is one of the better ones, there was a warm indoor part to go to within about 50 metres and collect our goody bag of a water bottle and some eco friendly soap shampoo (which is excellent!) Andrew Bell (who finished in 1:15:41 wow wow wow!) was there to cheer me home with a huge smile! As we celebrated our achievement (I crossed the line in 1:17:56) we spotted Richard Houghton punch the air with a huge smile as he crossed the line in 1:19:39, again amazing and reward for some good long distance training.
Martin Connolly finished in a time of 1:23:11 and was 5th V50 male, Judith Nutt finished in 1:24:17 as 2nd V40 female and Jeffrey Emmerson 1:59:38 10th in the V65 male. All brilliant achievements considering this is a race that attracts some excellent runners from across the North of England.
Other runners who should all be very proud are Shaun Connolly 1:32:18, Daniel Nettle 1:33:24, Charlotte Baston 1:36:26 (course pb, well done!), Melissa Bateson 1:49:38 and Dominic Phipps 1:49:29.
Well done everybody for flying the Elswick Harriers flag high! Thanks also to Phil Baston for cheering everyone along!!!
