A fantastic turn-out by Team Musketeers in the Saltash Half Marathon – one of the top 5 hardest road or off-road half marathons in the SW.
Twenty members and one past member ‘survived’ the 13 miles round the rarely level course round Saltash and Forder taking in the scenic hills which have distant and close river and woodland views.
There is little respite from the up and down clines, but the undulating course also keeps runners’ attention and there is no chance to be bored or pray for the end because there is too much to needing your concentration and because you are too out of breath to pray!
This was a record start for the Musketeers in this race and a close second to the record Plymouth Half entry last year. It was very rousing to see such happy people all in a strange turquoise colour finishing a tough race and none were broken athletes.
I like to think our mutual bond as a band of brother and sisters carries us through the toughest miles in such races. It is a spirit demonstrated by the joint finish of several Muskies all holding hands – probably because they’d otherwise fall over! … And shown by the noisy reception for everyone at the finish by those who had already suffered.
The race started for the first time at Saltash FC next to the leisure centre and was a far better venue than at the town hall. This left space for food and retail stands which made it feel like a proper event. Steve was a masterful master of ceremonies for the Tamar Trotter race and somehow avoided being rude to the top club in the Plymouth area. The race was excellent value with a great goody bag and running shirt for only £10 – lessons to be learned by other race organisers.
On a negative side the route was much too convoluted on return to Saltash, which led to doubt in tired minds and hindered progress on weary legs when you needed nothing to worry about apart from finishing.
Saltash conquerers out of 176: 28th Guy B 1h37m, 69th Neil W 1.47, 72nd Mark P 1.49, 88th, Darren D 1. 50, 122nd Chris W 2h, 125th Sarah H 2.1, 130th – 131st Bob C and Sharon S, 2.02, 136th Lucy S 2.05, 144th Nicole B, 2.07, 146th Sharon A 2.08, 149th Sam G 2.09, 159th Caroline E 2.23, 165th – 171st Louise K, 2.28, Kev 2.28, Annette T, 2.28, Ian L, 2.28, Michael P 2.28, Dave W 2.28 and Bryan K 2.28. As a newly returning member it was good to see Sharon S racing again, she sure picked a tough one to make a come-back.
Former member Jenny Kumah 110 1.55.
By Guy