An unusual race with the logistics of a marathon but only half the distance!

You meet at Clydebank and are bussed out to Balloch and start at the Lochside – very picturesque.

I traveled with Kirsty and Kerry Wilson and joined a few of the lads from Killie upstairs on an old double decker bus – very reminiscent of school trips of old! The wind, sleet and snow we experienced on the bus ride gave us an indication of what we could expect and after 45 mins or so wait at Balloch we were off. Met Moira at the start and she was looking confident. Lot of water lying around and although we had a lot of ominous clouds, no real downpour during the race.

I battered through 8 minute miles and felt my hamstring if I tried any faster and finished in 1:44:20 – only real bright spot was a strong last 3 miles where I dropped to 7:30 miles and claimed a few scalps.

Moira was just behind me in about 1:47 and Kirsty not far behind in 2:09.

Few other friends of the club had a very good day. 1st was Kerry Wilson from Girvan in 1:12:30, Keith from Killie was 4th overall and 1st vet with 1:14:54 and Scott from Killie was 11th 1:17:47 and I seem to recall both Keith and Scott were PB’s which is a great effort considering the conditions.

First half marathon for 2 years and enjoyed the day but not the time. Considering my hamstring issue and the training for the WHW not too concerned about quick times, but still hanker to finish further up the field!