Race Report: Poole Half Marathon

Sunday June 3rd, 2018

Debbie Montague

For the past 37 years Poole has held a running festival weekend including; 5k, 10k and a series of ‘minithan’ races for children. For the first time ever this year they also included a half marathon.

At around 180 miles from Peterborough it is a bit of a trek (luckily I have family not far from there). But if you fancied a weekend away, it’s definitely worth it.

The event was based at Poole Park which covered a large area and included a number of features and activities for those who weren’t running; Lake with pedal boats and canoes, tennis courts, crazy gold and pitch and put course, cafes, children play areas. Plus the event organisers had laid on refreshment stalls, small funfair rides for the children, live music and running stalls.

Saturday saw the 5k race take place with around 380 participants, the winner came in at a fantastic 15.49. The 10k and the inaugural half marathon took place on the Sunday, followed by the ‘minithan’ races.

The desk to pick up your number opened at 7:30 on the day and you got to pick up your very nice technical t-shirt before the race so you could wear it if you wanted. Although it was far too hot to be wearing anything more than a vest. The race was chipped timed with the chip being in your race number. Also, the different distances had different coloured race numbers, orange for 10k and purple for the half marathon.

There was a marquee to use to get changed if you wanted, but you were advised to come already changed ready for the run. A bag drop off was there, organised by Poole hospital charity and they asked a £1 donation to use this facility.

Both the 10k race and the half marathon races start together at 9am in the park and share the same course for about 3 miles. Then they split off with the 10k starting to head back and the half heading out around the quay and out of Poole. The sun was blazing and the temperature got up to around 23 with little or no breeze making it a rather hot run. From Poole quay the route takes you around Holes Bay into Upton Country Park where the course changed to more of a trail run through trees and woods, which was a very welcome relief from the sun. You do a loop around the park and then follow the same route back to the Quay, along the seafront this time and then back into the Park.

It was very well marshalled and had water stops at miles; 3, 6, 9 and 11 (although as it was so hot it felt like they could have done with a few more). It’s a pretty flat but very scenic route and if it hadn’t been for the heat am sure PBs would have been easily achievable.

At the finish line you received your medal, a bottle of water and a small goody bag with an oat bar and a couple of other little bits in. There were no shower facilities, however the local leisure centre was letting people get changed and showered there for a charge of £2.50.

Once the half marathon had finished it was then the turn of the children with a number of races taking place; 6 to 7 years old, 8 to 9 years old, 10 to 11 years old, 12 to 14 years old and an under 6 ‘with parent’ race. All of which got medals too (which I have to say were rather nice).

Website & Links

http://poolefestivalofrunning.com/

https://www.facebook.com/runpoole/

Good Points

• The setting, Poole is a lovely place especially when the weather is nice
• Great looking and good quality race shirt
• Rather good looking medal
• Options of races to suit every standard, including children’s races
• Plenty of refreshment stands and entertainment for those waiting whilst friends and relatives took part in one of the races
• Plenty of parking nearby and not too expensive
• Early start so can be finished before it gets too hot

Not so Good Points

• The half and 10k starting together, was far too easy to go off too quickly and there was a lot of jostling for space over the first 3 miles
• Toilets, although they had provided porta loos, there were still really large queues
• No shower facilities
• As it was so hot, they could have done with more water stops/sprays
• The footpaths and track through Upton park was still open to the public so you had mind the bikes, walkers and dogs (not that much different though from a Parkrun)
• 180 miles from Peterborough!

Would I do it again? Yes I would!! It is around 180 miles from Peterborough and a bit of a trek (luckily I have family not far from there), but if you fancied a weekend away, it’s definitely worth it.

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