On Thursday I ran the second race of the nine 5 mile races in the Dave Jones Prom Run Series organised by Weston Athletic Club. These are flat, quick road races along the prom of the Weston-Super-Mare seafront. Kinisi Run Hub are excited to be sponsoring this great series!

Despite the evenings getting much shorter and the races now taking place in the dark, it was a very nice evening for it. The temperatures were mild and there was minimal wind.

It was another strong turnout this month despite the high number of races currently on offer as we are deep in road racing season as well as the cross country and trail racing events getting going. Once again most the local clubs from across the Bristol and Somerset areas turned out in force.

All the races for this series are on the three lap course usually only used over the winter months but I personally prefer this as it breaks up the long out and backs. However, it does mean two extra 90 degree turns during the race.

I am still on a comeback after being out injured for 3 months over the summer and have been very carefully and gradually building back up. I’d had a solid race in the first one of the series by finishing third with a respectable time so was hoping to push on and have a stronger performance this month.

This time I backed myself as I knew I was building into shape so started on the front row of the start line. I went out harder this time but was mindful not to get carried away. As is so usual at a Weston Prom race, Adam Tango Holland (Tavistock AC) shot off to the front at a pace that I felt was a bit too hot for me so let him go. The eventual race winner Ben Robinson (Bristol & West AC) went off with Adam and a small gap developed between the two of them and a small chase group I was part of.

I settled in for the first lap with Robert Farley (Avon Tempo) and Jack Richardson (Clevedon AC) and we held a solid pace as we closed the gap to Adam. Once we got to the turnaround point of the first lap I found myself just behind Adam and knew I had a decision to make. Either sit behind him and take a ride but he was slowing or overtake him and push the pace to open a gap. I was feeling good and didn’t want to slow down so went for the latter and picked up the pace which meant my second mile split was the fastest of the race.

I managed to gain a gap over Adam, Robert and Jack and found myself in a clear second place but with Ben quite a long way ahead. The next two laps were a bit lonely as I grew the gap over the chase group but because it is multiple laps it does help chasing down lapped runners as it gives you a target to aim for.

I held on to second place and finished the race feeling strong with my mile splits all within 9 seconds of each other meaning I’d paced it sensibly. I was very happy with my run as it showed things are on track in my build back up from injury. I just need to stay sensible and not get carried away as things are progressing nicely.

Ben Robinson (Bristol & West AC) won the race by some distance in a very strong 24:58 followed by myself in 26:28 and Robert Farley (Avon Tempo) third in 27:04. The women’s race was won by Alice Smith (Weston AC) in 31:40 followed home by Charlotte Brown (Taunton AC) in 32:56 and Laura Fricker (Weston AC) in 33:25. In total there were 238 finishers. Full results here. Well done to all who raced!

The races start and finish just outside Revo Kitchen on the seafront where registration and the presentations take place. Kinisi Run Hub also have a pop-up shop inside Revo at each fixture. Many runners take advantage of this and get a well deserved post-race drink and meal in the restaurant. The prom remains open during the race but there are plenty of marshals on the course to ensure any pedestrians and cyclists are aware of oncoming runners.

Well done to everyone who raced and thank you to Weston AC for organising another great Prom Run race! Kinisi Run Hub are proud to be supporting such a great event and I can’t wait for the next race of the series in November!

If you are interested in taking part then keep an eye on the Weston AC event page here. There are also 1 mile junior races.