Well after 2 years of running and coming up to the 12 month mark of competitive racing, I have decided to mark this year for running a marathon. I had a space in my racing diary for end of Sept/beginning of Oct and the only one that would fit was the Mablethorpe Marathon on the 2nd October.

Looks like a nice one to start off with, relatively flat and a small field. Has anybody else experienced this event in the past, I would appreciate a bit of feedback, and also if you are considering running it. Also decided to book the week there as a holiday just to please the missus.

P.S. Working towards a sub 3:30 for this event, my HM times are around 1:35 on hilly races.

Hi Derek, Mablethorpe has been in my diary for some time as a possible, recently upgraded to probable, but 'just a swift half' as they say. Then again, the Bournville 'Leafy 10k' is also marked as a probable, and likely to be on the same date! Oh, and my running buddy wants me to do the Chester marathon with him on the 9th.

Somethin's gotta give...

Probably the legs Dave the way it's going.

Yup, looks like we're doing Chester instead. If not that then possibly Coventry HM.

Plenty of time Brian to go, and it's a nice flat one so no worrys about hills.

Dave, I done Coventry HM last year when it was the first really hot sunday in May about 30 deg F if I recollect. If they keep the same course this year there are a few significant inclines, or long hills as they are commonly known as. Good atmosphere and a bit of a downhill sprint finish. That was on the cards for this year if it remained in May.

October's begining to become a busy month for me, with Mablethorpe on the 2nd Oct followed by Tamworth 10k on 16th, Birmingham HM on 23rd and then into the clubs XC season on the 29th, I think something will have to give, either B'ham or Tamworth as the other two are confirms, Eddy Izzard I'm not.

Hi again Derek!

I ran Cov in 2009, when it was in October - a surprisingly nice course. Last year I DNS'd with an injury but went along to support friends, and yes, it was blistering! I was not far from the finish and saw people collapsing all over the place. It was all too stressful to watch so I had to retire to the shade of a local hostelry.

Thankfully (for those running) it's back to October this year. It's my fall-back plan should Chester fall through for any reason. Then again, there's the Bournville Leafy 10km also around that time... and some friends are doing the Loch Ness mara...