On Thursday I raced the fourth race of 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.

This month’s race had probably the worst conditions yet. They weren’t terrible but it was windy and cold. The temperature was about 4 degrees but apparently the wind chill made it feel below 0 degrees. The wind meant we had a very strong headwind in one direction of the three-lap out-and-back course but also a tailwind the other way.

The course is normally two laps out-and-back but due to the Christmas ice skating rink at the Tropicana, the route had to be changed. We did three smaller out-and-back laps. Mentally I found it a bit easier because when it is two laps there are some very long straights but the three laps broke it up far more.

The race was definitely the most competitive of the series so far with many of the regions top club athletes showing up. Whereas at previous races there has only been a group of about 3-4 of us setting off quickly at the start, this time there was a group of a good 10-15 of us in the first lap. Because of the depth and wind I decided to just sit in and take a ride for a bit.

Gradually people dropped off and by the time we were into the second lap there was a group of about 6 of us. Halfway through the second lap and I felt the pace dropping so moved into the lead and shared it with Sam Rodda. We started the third lap and there was still a group of four of us. We reached the turnaround point for the last time and me and Sam Rodda started to pull away from Nathan Williams and Adam Tango Holland.

About half a mile from the end I decided to put in a surge and picked up the pace. It paid off and I managed to pull away and take the win in 25:28. Sam Rodda (Reading AC) was second in 25:36 followed by Nathan Williams (Vale Royal AC) in 25:43. The women’s race was won by Chelsea Baker (Bristol & West AC) in 28:32 with Jessica Heffer (Bristol & West AC) second in 29:51 and Katie Hughes (Westbury Harriers) third in 31:11. In total there were 264 finishers. Full results here.

The race starts and finishes just outside Revo Kitchen on the seafront where registration and the presentation also take place. Many runners take advantage of this and get a well deserved post-race drink and meal in the restaurant, especially this week with it being just before the festive season. 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! Kinisi Run Hub are proud to be supporting such a great event and I can’t wait for the next one in January!

If you are interested in taking part you can sign up to the Weston Prom Run Series here and there are also 1 mile junior races available to sign up for here.