Alloa Half Marathon

Sunday 19th March 2017 

Well the training is almost over and it’s time to think about that final weekend training run ahead of for many there first half marathon.

You should use this last weekend run to test out your race day kit, if you are using gels on race day do they fit in your kit pockets, are you running with a belt, have you trained with a running belt?

If you have club kit wear it with pride before during and after the race.

The below are transport details plus some race day tips

Night Before

Pack your bag don’t forget gels, safety pins, change of clothes, think about the weather take kit for dry and wet conditions, get your breakfast together, be prepared, no alcohol and an early night.

Transport

Our transport is provided by Dodds Of Troon, the coach will leave The Walker Hall at 7am, the journey is expected to take two hours, leaving plenty of time for number collection and getting changed.

You will need to think about breakfast, its three hours before the run when we leave Troon, you may want to bring bananas, Lucozade, water etc onto the coach, you will need to eat something before the race, try and eat something before getting on the coach.

Bring a pound – we will be doing sweepstake guess your time, the closest to the official time posted by the organisers wins the pot.

The coach will leave Alloa  at 13.30  (though we won’t leave anyone), the pick-up location after the race will be confirmed to everyone before you set foot on Clackmannanshire tarmac.

The return timings leave three and a half hours between the start and end of the race, it’s likely everyone will be finished changed and ready to depart before 13.30pm, if that’s the case we will head away.

The coach will have toilet facilities.

Note if you leave valuables on the bus it’s at your own risk.

On arrival

Ahead of the race you should receive an e-mail from the organisers with race day instructions, check your spam if you have not received the mail, the mail will probably also include what your race number will be

Race numbers are collected from the Leisure Centre car park next to the start/finish, the first job will be to collect your number and safety pins.

Once you have your number proceed into the leisure centre where you can get changed, note it can be very busy in here so its worth at least having your shorts on in advance!!

Inside the leisure centre our area will be next to the bar, there are toilets close by here and usually quite a bit of space to spread out, when you are ready to venture outside all our bags will be stored in the large gym, note this area is not secured we will pile our bags in a Tortoise pile but if you leave any valuables phones etc its at your own risk, personally I usually put mine on silent and leave in my bag, being a trusting sort, but this is your own choice.

It’s worth bringing an old jumper to wear over your running kit ahead of the start, just before the start you can take off and leave at the side, the organisers usually collect these and give to a local charity, there are enough Troon charity shops to purchase one if you don’t have an old item.

Another tip would be don’t expect toilet roll in either the outside toilets or inside the leisure centre, the organisers do their best but it’s so busy – bring your own, just in case ?

The Course

Don’t start to fast!! The run is chipped timed so your time only starts once you run over the starting mat, it’s worth starting a little back anyway, it often means you are overtaking people towards the end, which is always good.

Alloa is one of the biggest half marathon races, it’s unlikely you will be running many miles on your own so settle into a group and enjoy.

The first part of the race is through a housing estate, note there will be parked cars, this section last’s I think for less than two miles, its then out onto much wider roads where there is pretty good support, you then head onto some good paths and away from the town.

There are some good long stretches where you just run the miles, there are good views of the hills to take your mind of the running.

The Hill – ok everyone goes on about the hill at mile eleven – it’s just a hill ‘get over it’ there is a road sign at the top focus on that don’t walk, run and when you reach the top it’s just over a mile to the finish!!

People only stress because its mile eleven

After the race

Bask in the sense of achievement – you did it enjoy it

Download to Strava and watch the Kudos arrive.

Once changed there is a snack bar inside the leisure centre where hot drinks and sandwiches can be purchased.

Once changed you can head back outside to cheer your fellow Tortoises to the finish.

Back at the coach we will have a group T Shirt photo then head back to Troon.

On arrival, back in Troon if anyone wants to enjoy a light refreshment (wine or coffee) or two, we will head to the The Lido  to finish off the day.

Enjoy

Darrell