SBS Christchurch (Lincoln) Marathon June 5th 2011
I had a peek of the new Lincoln based course the week before the race and confirmed my suspicions from the map, an exposed, very flat and rather dull course – as long as it’s not windy it should be fine…
15 minutes or so into the race a southerly front hit, wind, rain – “glad I’ve got my long sleeves on” a neighbouring competitor remarked eyeing up my CHAV singlet. In the end running conditions were not as bad as in ‘09 – horizontal sleet, I survived that in a CHAV singlet – the spectators and the Marafun runners probably had the worst of it. read more
Arriving before the traffic problems evolved I soon met up with Jacob & Andrew Reese-Jones. ARJ (King of Kepler but still a road marathon virgin) and I were planning to run together, even though ARJ reckoned he was not really fit (yeah right). Within minutes of arriving John Gamblin had spied us and was badgering Jacob to help out marshalling before his 10k as well dishing out his traditional pre race insults to ARJ and I.
At the start it was party time! Nick and Richard Merrett joined Craig Eustace sporting helium balloons to identify them as pace makers for ½ marathon runners. Other CHAV runners spied included Mike Vandercolk, Robyn Perkins and Greg Bramwell. I’m sure they, like me, thought those brightly coloured balloons were signals for some other less commendable activity. For the record all 3 pace makers came within 30 secs of their allotted pace time.
Within 1km of the start we entered Lincoln where we were supported by some totally impartial marshals, Messers Ingles, Gamblin, Gamperle and Mrs. Gamblin, before heading out into the wilds. All round the first lap there were groups of competitors to catch as ARJ, Perrin Richardson and I shared drinks and a bit of banter (initially at least!). We formed an intimidating wall of CHAV colours which had the desired effect. Catching Nathan Jones (Sumner) at about 17km we informed him we were on our Sunday training run and asked would he care to join us? The answer went something like “b***** off you b******s”. That reminds me to thank Denis Christmas for his expletive loaded message of support at about the 10k mark. At about 19km Perrin pulled away from us and another young whippersnapper joined us enquiring what ½ time we were on? Replying 1.23-4 he soon left us in his wake. To our surprise we hit 21km in the 1.22s (our target was to keep just under 4min/km pace) and as the ½ runners peeled off our race was just beginning. The course suddenly seemed very empty – and windy. Andy and I quickly agreed to take it in turns at the front when we hit the head wind. Spying our whippersnapper ahead, alone, we plotted his downfall using our combined guile, however just as the lions often fail to get the kill, we never did catch our youthful prey.
As the finish grew interminably nearer my GPS watch started bleeping informing us we were dipping over 4min/km pace, my legs were getting heavier, my stride less springy, it was make or break time. We were hanging out for the tail wind that we knew would come with the final 3-4ks, it arrived but still my watch kept beeping insistently. I was in front as we turned out of the head wind and, determined not to ruin a potential PB, I tried to pick up the pace. At nearly 40ks the legs were not going to obey so the beeping continued. Before long I realised that ARJ was no longer with me, the crowds near the finish came into ear shot and those impartial marshals let me know that the first woman, Liza Hunter-Galvan, was not far behind and catching. Even with this incentive the legs wouldn’t go faster, “nope this is the pace we’ve done all race and we ain’t goin’ to change now”. Another tight turn (so cruel after 42ks) and there it was, the finish, 200m away. The accompanying strong head wind made it feel like uphill all the way. Crossing the line I looked back to see ARJ coming up the straight, but what was that? Another competitor sandwiched between him and me? Oh yes, ARJ had been “chicked” in the last km. Better still his finish, behind LH-G, was shown on TV3 news and soon became compulsory viewing for all senior male club members, his impressive marathon debut overshadowed by this momentous, newsworthy event.
So what memories of the 2011 SBS Marathon? Traffic and a late start, the southerly, the sight of so many CHAV vests on the course and on the podium, some great PBs, the sausage sizzle that ran out (well actually my 9 yr old son’s memory), the queue for coffee and of course ARJ being chicked!
Well done everyone who had a run, thanks to all club members who gave up their time to make the day possible, Paul Norton's announcing skills, and for all the support around the course. Thanks to ARJ for pushing me along to a PB and well done for retaining your sense of humour in the face of some serious, sustained, piss taking.
- Richard Seigne (19 Jun 2011)
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