Edinburgh Marathon & Half
23rd May 2010

 

Unofficial Results

Half Marathon
Linda Payne 2.28.39  
Marathon
Darren Miller 3.41.30 pb
Graham Short 3.46.30 pb
Alison Barratt 4.20.49  
Katarina Darcy 5.02.41 pb
Greg Sharpe 5.04.52  
Victoria Sharpe 5.04.52  
Elaine McCulloch 6.55.53  
Paul Hudson -  

Race Reports:

To me carnage best described the Edinburgh marathon. It's quite disconcerting to pass so many runners collapsed over at the side of the road. I probably passed one runner per mile from about 15 and there was probably double that number from 20 onwards. According to the newspaper report, 185 needed medical attention, 15 were hospitalised with one death ! I felt dizzy myself after about 21 despite having had a gel at 19. I then passed two guys out on the side, the second of which was being treated with a drip. I decided that this was not a day for heroics and slowed right down. I was fortunately fast enough to get both a lucozade and a water bottle at the stations. The Lucozade went down my throat and the water over my head, which my worried my wife as she thought I was sweating unusually large amounts. I slowed down more than a minute a mile, yet was passing 20-30 people every mile from the 20 mile point onwards who were either walking or stopped. The fact that I got a PB in these conditions, shows how bad my previous PB was. You won't find me being disappointed by times though. That was solved between 13 and 14 miles, when I passed a soldier running for the Heroes charity. His right leg was missing below the knee and he was running with a blade and he had no right hand. It's hard to know what to say other than "much respect, mate". It certainly gives a proper perspective and teaches you not to worry about your times.

Graham Short

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It was a little confusing at this year's race as the main race started on Regent Road (as last year) but there was another start on London Road, which I was unaware of until I got into the area. I then could not find my way to Regent Road, several others were in the same position and began following other runners. Once in the correct locaton, a couple of extra pens had been added to this year's race but they were easy enough to find due to the colour coding.

The temperature was already rising by the time we started off running but there were plenty of drinks at the water stations this year (although they no longer stocked gels, which I would have avoided anyhow). I noticed around 4k that a timing chip was lying on the floor so I am hoping that the runner it belonged to started his / her watch at the beginning so that they have the correct time.

Some of the participants that I caught up with were walking at 3 miles and I was thinking to myself 'if you are walking already, why are you doing a marathon?' (excuse the stereotyping but..) It was quite obvious that some of these walkers were not in shape nor would they be able to complete the course. And, why they were in a pen catering for a quicker finishing time than my own is incomprehensible. 
 
Further on in the marathon, it had become a lot warmer and runners were 'dropping like flies'. One of the elite runners almost collapsed onto the pavement but was caught by a couple of runners behind and at the side of him. Others were treated by paramedics and St Andrews Ambulance. Sadly one of the Hairy Haggis Relay Runners collapsed and died.
I run better when it is hot but still I was hoping for a 6 hour finish as I wanted to take it easy and have a chat whilst on the course.

At mile 10 my sugar levels were dropping as my last meal had been at 7am. I had packed my sugar drops into the small pocket in my shorts but when I went to get one they all fell out and went all over the road. I did not fancy picking them up and as there was a water station not so far away so I thought that I would grab a Lucozade from there. Unfortunately there were none, just water, but was told that there was another station further up so I carried on going. There was nothing at this one either. Towards mile 20 I was slightly 'going' but luckily there was an ambulance at the 20 so I went over to find out if they had anything. I noticed quite a few people in the ambulance and one runners was bleeding through his shirt, obviously did not apply Vaseline beforehand (I caked myself in it from head to toe). I was not able to speak but having the big red cross on the front of my number and medical details on the back of it, they were able to work out what I needed. Once I had been given a boost I wanted to carry on but I wasn't allowed to leave until I was back to 'normal' (whatever normal may be?!) but I was doing ever so well timing wise and had reached mile 20 by 3h35m. But I was allowed to escape once the paramedic checked me over and did my count.
At mile 23 a runner a distance in front of me started swaying and I knew that he was going 'to go' but I was unable to run any quicker to help him. I found it quite distressing that runners were just running on by. Although I was running for charity and I had to get to the finish line, I would still ensure that runners around me were o.k. (It makes me think that if you pass and ignore someone in need during a race, then during another race you may be in need, so how would you feel if we passed and completely ignored you). Luckily I was able to get to the runner to help him, he was completely exhausted and I stayed with him until one of the first aiders arrived. Fortunately this year, there seemed to be at least two static first aiders and / or marshals every mile and a couple on cycles. I did not get the runner's name but am hoping that he is now o.k.

I stopped off at the Fetch point and had a quick chat whilst they gave me a couple of drinks and sweets for the rest of the run. It was also very good of the locals to, once again, put on their water hoses and hose down the runners. I tried to avoid the water though as it was just too cold (if the water temperature had been 80 degrees that would have been ideal) but many runners greatly appreciated it.
I did not do 'my sprint' to the finish as I was a little uneasy on the flooring that they had put down to cover the racecourse. But I made it! So much for 'getting around the course' I smashed my PB! Received my medal, t-shirt, water, lucozade etc.

The photographs are very unflattering but then who's aren't during a marathon on one of the hottest days of the year so far?! My joints were very pleased to have been in the heat and I am awaiting the post marathon fatigue but until then, I will stock up on the calories I have lost!
 

Katarina Darcy

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