On Thursday I raced the eighth 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.

After a long winter, it makes such a difference showing up to Weston in the light and being able to race in the light! The temperature was also nice and mild. There was a slight breeze but on the whole very pleasant race conditions.

There was a very strong turnout for this month’s race, likely due to the better weather and it being the Easter holidays, with large travelling teams from places like Yeovil and Thornbury. It was great to see so many people warming up and then on the start line.

While there were a lot more participants, at the front of the race there wasn’t quite the depth that previous fixtures have had. However, one thing you can predict is a very quick early pace from Adam Tango Holland (Tavistock AC) who shot off to the front. Just like in other fixtures, I knew to expect this so let him go and held back at a pace I felt I could maintain for the 5 mile race.

As we approached about 1 mile I closed in on Adam and soon after started to overtake him and pull away. Through the first lap and gradually extended my lead and started the second lap feeling strong but noticing the head wind on the return bit of the lap.

I continued to extend my lead in the second lap and did my best to maintain my pace and finish strong. It was one of my quicker races of the series which was a nice little confidence booster as this was my final hard runout before London Marathon this weekend.

I won the race in 25:14 followed by Adam Holland (Tavistock AC) in 26:14 and Aidan Daniel (Team Bath AC) in 26:24. Alice Smith (Weston AC) won the women’s race in 32:09 with Laura Meech (Clevedon AC) second in 32:54 and Kelly Dicks (Great Western Runners) third in 33:21. In total there were 249 finishers. Full results here.

With it being the day before Good Friday, the winners received chocolate Easter eggs which was a nice touch!

The race starts and finishes just outside Revo Kitchen on the seafront where registration and the presentation also 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! Kinisi Run Hub are proud to be supporting such a great event and I can’t wait for the final one in May!

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.