Gosport Half - the race of cake? Race Report

"It's laps of a semi derelict MOD airfield."  Not possibly the most inviting prospect, but Louise must have made Gosport Half Marathon sound good as I was keen to run it this year - and Louise was up to repeat it.

2000 runners apparently.  The facilities at the start were fine with enough loos, baggage drop off, massages available and even the opportunity for a cup of tea.  It was in Louise's old school - she's a Gosport girl - and we'd parked near her Dad's home just a few streets away.

The start was vaguely segmented by times - we just ensured we weren't too far forward.  Louise spotted a former colleague who kindly took our final pre run photo.

Flat, yes.  The route had an impressive number of miles away from traffic - making use of Daedalus airfield but also wide tarmac cycle paths.  I actually found the airfield bit interesting, making our way past derelict MOD buildings from the 60s, 30s and earlier that would make for some stunning apartments.  A boat building bit smelt strongly of solvents! Other highlights included a filling station and lots of wire fencing.  Not too much congestion as most of the paths were wide and well surfaced.

 We appreciated a drumming band that the route took us past lots of times.  

The most scenic bit was at the end, along the shore at Lee on Solent back to Gosport.  I appreciated the wind free, dry and cool weather - high wind would have been serious hard work!

Great to see a former SRS runner Jennifer marshaling - and cheering us on with gusto.  And a lovely surprise to see Mel G who's just graduated from our beginner programme supporting us at the start.  Pat was there too - but unable to demonstrate any bias as she was a referee, coping with random incidents like a scooter insisting on riding over the chip timing mat at the end - strange.

Donna, Sam, Louise and I cheered Sally over the line.  I think we managed 3 PBs today - me, Tanya & Sally.  And it was Sam's first ever half - so an automatic PB for her!

And then we moved onto the cake. Goody bags had proper fruitcake, flapjack & chocolate biscuits.  Demolished the former & then enjoyed a rather good fatless sugar free fruitcake that Sam had brought (need the recipe!), then a piece of Running the World's flag cake.  And a chocolate biscuit courtesy of Louise's Dad to finish off.  The sugar high helped with the tedious queue of traffic homewards - and meant that I got home still feeling buoyed up by a rather good run.

Dawn 1:51:05
Verity 1:57:11
Gin 2:13:51
Louise 2:14:11
Sam 2:26:33
Tanya 2:26:30 - a PB I believe
Sally 2:46:51 - this is 15 minutes faster than her first half!
Jo - can't find her on the provisional results