Abbey start inspires the masses

FOR nearly 10 years, the wonderful building that is Hexham Abbey has been my view from the Courant office.

An amazing, historic building which dominates the town landscape and draws visitors from all parts of the globe, it truly is a magnificent structure to gaze upon.

And to have a half marathon start from that location, for me and hundreds others, was a particularly special moment.

The buzz emanating around the grounds of the Abbey was electric, and from that moment on I knew that the Hexham Half Marathon was going to be one of my favourite runs.

It certainly didn't disappoint as the route heavily looped around Anick Road was a brilliant one.

While no where near as iconic as the Great North Run passing over the Tyne Bridge, racing over the two bridges into the town, bridges we travel over in our cars on a daily basis, was certainly a moment to savour.

From there, the route took us to the end of Anick Road and then looping back on ourselves before tackling the dreaded stretch - the energy-sapping Sandhoe Bank!

Last year, runners had to tackle it twice, which is just downright cruel.

Fortunately, the route had changed to mean it featured just once at just before the seven-mile mark. Believe you me, once is quite enough.

The pain with every slow step up the hill surged from the calves up, and it was difficult to regain a rhythm following the climb.

But, with everything, what goes up, must come down, and the rest of the route was relatively pain free as it headed back to Anick Road and to the finishing line behind the Egger factory.

Yet there was a final, significant sting in the tail for everybody.

With the finishing line in sight, people picked up the pace knowing that 13 miles of torture was soon to be brought to an end. Well, not quite yet...

For there was a slight detour from the line where people had to run past the line and a short loop to the side of it before heading over the line. A very disheartening moment to have that tiny bit extra when you feel you've got nothing more to give.

However, it obviously needed added to take it to the full half marathon distance, and it certainly didn't detract from what was an incredible event, more or less solely organised by one-man band Greg Urwin. A big hats off to that man!

While results were frustratingly delayed, my phone app said I completed the route at 1:41.28, a personal best time I'm more than pleased with.

Next up is the Wallington 10K on July 19, a run which gained global publicity a couple of years ago when a runaway sheep joined in with the fun.

As part of the Run Nation series I've enjoyed being part of, another historic North-East building will feature as the race ends at the grand Wallington Hall.

Date

Event

Venue

Organisers

Time

Saturday 4th March

Mad March Mare

Hexham Racecourse

Challenge Northumberland

01:06.36

Sunday 14th May

Tynedale Half Marathon

Hexham Market Place

Run Northumberland