This month's Prom Run featured possibly the most windy conditions I have ever experienced down in Weston. Even on relatively still days there is always a bit of wind down in Weston-Super-Mare as it is on the coast but this was worse. I knew it was going to be bad when it was exceptionally windy in Bristol during the day. One positive thing was it was fairly dry unlike recent months (though there was a small downpour when I was warming up!). However, the conditions were the same for everyone and all the usual clubs turned up in force.
We were back on the standard two lap course for this race which meant there would be some long stretches of headwinds. On the start line most of the usual suspects showed up so I knew it would be fairly competitive up the front. The race got underway into a headwind and you could tell it must be tough conditions when usual race winner Ben Robinson (Bristol & West AC) held back and ran with the group until the first turn. There was a reasonably large group of us until the cones but after the first turn things started to string out. Ben and David Awde (Bristol & West AC) started to pull away and form a lead group. I quickly found myself running away from the rest of the group but a bit off the pace of the leaders so was stuck in no-man's land.
This was my first hard runout since the Taunton Half Marathon ten days before and I was feeling strong but my legs were still a bit heavy and more sluggish than I ideally would have felt. I ended up running pretty much the whole of the race on my own. I had Ben and David in my sights throughout the first lap and during the second lap Ben pulled away from David. I felt I was slowly closing the gap on David during the second lap but it was just too much ground to make up and finishing into the headwind made things even more difficult.
I was fairly happy with my run. The time looked extremely average but that was the same across the board for everyone. It wasn't an evening for quick times with just about everyone I spoke to commenting that they ran significantly slower than usual despite putting in the same amount of effort. The important thing was it was a hard runout and definitely another step forward in fitness. Nights like Thursday really bring you physically on and toughen you up mentally. I'm looking forward to getting stuck into another training block and building towards the Bristol Half Marathon in May.
Ben Robinson (Bristol & West AC) once again took the win, but this time in 26:09, which is a good minute slower than he normally runs, followed by David Awde (Bristol & West AC) second in 26:36 and myself third in 26:45. Deborah Bruce (Bristol & West AC) won the women's race in 29:32 as Laura Fricker (Weston AC) took second in 31:10 and Alice Smith (Weston AC) took third in 32:03. In total there were 229 finishers. Full results are now online. Well done to all who raced!
The Weston Prom Run Series 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 Weston Prom Run Series 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 April!
If you are interested in taking part then keep an eye on the Weston AC event page. There are also 1 mile junior races.