In last month's recap of the Weston Prom Run I wrote that it was possibly the most windy conditions I have ever experienced at the Prom Series. However, last night was something different. The wind was blowing in from the coast which meant whichever direction you were running along the Prom you were running into some wind and it was windy! Because of the direction of the wind, sand from the beach was being blown up onto the prom and into us as we were running. I finished the race with sand in my ears!
On a more positive note, it was the first race since September that was in daylight and it made such a difference. Even though it was extremely windy, running in the light made it all worth it. An added bonus was the sun was shining and there was a glorious sunset as we were racing. I ended up racing in sunglasses, as did many others, partially due to the sun but also to protect our eyes from the sand blowing up from the beach!
We were back to the standard two lap course for this month's race. Usually the wind is blowing in a direction that one way down the prom you get a headwind and the other you get a tailwind. However, because the wind was blowing in from the coast, it was a sideways wind that felt like you were running into whichever direction we were running.
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 the wind 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. Adam Holland (Tavistock AC) went out hard and was running about 10 meters in front Ben, David Awde (Bristol & West AC) and myself when we went round the first turn. Along the next straight we caught up to Adam and by the second turn had started pulling away from him.
For the rest of the first lap we ran as a trio battling the winds. When we started the second lap, Ben and me started to pull away from David and put a gap into him which gradually grew through the second lap. At the final turn David and me were still running together but as we came off the turn he put in a small burst and put about 10 meters into me. The gap didn't really grow but it was too much for me to make up so I had to settle for second.
Ben Robinson (Bristol & West AC) took another win in 25:43 and I followed him home in 25:46 with David Awde (Bristol & West AC) finishing third in 26:27. The women's race was won by Helen Repesse (Bristol & West AC) in 30:32 with Penny Guess (Southville RC) second in 30:51 and Alice Smith (Weston AC) third in 31:44. In total there were 243 finishers. Full results are now online. Well done to all who raced!
I was very happy with my race. I was a bit uncertain about how I would feel going into the race as I hadn't felt great all week but once we got racing it was the strongest I have felt since the Taunton Half Marathon at the start of March. I took even more confidence from the time I ran given the tough conditions presented by the strong winds. Things are in a good place so I've just got to stay consistent for the next month as I continue to build towards the Bristol Half Marathon in mid-May.
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 final race of the series in May!
If you are interested in taking part you can register on the Weston AC event page. There are also 1 mile junior races.