Finished Well In The Perth Half Marathon

Posted by Ray

Posted on June 24, 2009

On Sunday I completed my first competitive Half Marathon. Over ten years has passed since my last race in Holland where I nearly cried trying to finish a 10km. I didn't think I could do the distance. Things were definitely different this time around. The last five months of training and lifestyle changes (cutting down on the bad and unhealthy) really helped.

There was a couple of butterflies Sunday morning and the odd feeling of getting up at 6am, but once I reached the B.W.S. centre the nerves had gone. A good warm up followed and I couldn't wait to get started. By chance I started two rows back from the start line and wasn't sure if that was a wise decision. I wanted to get off quickly but didn't want to be out ran by the senior pace men.

The countdown started, a few long seconds passed and we were off. Conditions were good. Mainly overcast and a tad cold, but all in all good. The first 5km flew by, just tried to settle down and find a nice pace. The next 5km brought us to the turn and all was well. After turning at the half way point the pace of people around started to drop, so off I went trying to stay at a consistent level. Around the 15km mark I took some fluids on board and pressed on. The last 5km got a little harder, but I kept the head down and went for it. I decided to pick up the pace for the last km and could see the finish line about 500m in the distance. For the last 100m it was time for the big sprint. Unbeknown to me they had diverted the course route around to the right hand side of the finish line and made a loop. This loop was an extra 200m and I was completely knackered. Puffin and panting I settled down and managed a 40m burst at the end getting a cheer from the crowd. Happy days!

I finished in 45th place with a time of 1:25:25. I also came 9th in my class, M25. 838 people took part in the event so I was over the moon with the results. I think what stole the show during the day was some of the competitors i passed around the course. Allot had disabilities and others were of a remarkable age. I noticed one amazing achievement on the results list a 70 year old plus female named Julie McGrath (maybe an a fellow Irish compatriot) with a time of 2:45:16. Hats off to these people who show that anybody with a goal can achieve the impossible.

Perth Half Marathon Course

Perth Half Marathon Results 1

Perth Half Marathon Results 2

At the Start

I'm Somewhere Over On The Left

Crossing The Line

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