Stories, Articles and Race Reports
Crewe Track Marathon - 6th November 2011, England
Deja Vu in Crewe
By Conor Flanagan (Irish member)
After another déjà vu PB meltdown attempt in Dublin , [my third attempt in three years], I decided to give the Déjà vu Crewe track Marathon a go. [105.5 laps to ponder how I had failed yet again in Dublin ]
I spotted this new marathon on Roger's weekly newsletter, and contacted the organisers to get some details. Right from the start the Race Director [Michael Escolme] was extremely helpful, providing race details, train timetables, maps, and accommodation options [he even offered me a bed in his house]
I travelled over from Dublin to Manchester late on Saturday night, and arrived in a Manchester airport that was covered in freezing fog. It took over an hour to travel by taxi from the airport to Crewe due to the inclement weather conditions.
The following morning after my usual pre marathon breakfast routine, I asked for directions to the track at the hotel reception and on being told that it was only a 15 minute walk I decided to put the taxi fare saved, towards a bigger post race burger. The fog hadn't lifted and although it wasn't that cold, visibility was very limited as I set off. After 15 minutes of brisk walking and no sign of a track I was starting to get a little concerned, a few minutes later a road sign loomed into view through the fog, “Stoke on Trent ”, full scale panic as it was now 9.30 and the race was off at 10.00. I managed to get directions from someone out walking their dog, I had to run back the way I came and arrived at the track with only minutes to spare. I supposed it save me a warm up!
At this stage the sun had burnt off the fog and it looked like it was going to be a perfect day for running. There was some good banter between the runners at the start line and after a short briefing from the Race Director we were off, and after only 200 metres we passed under a big bright yellow gantry emblazoned in black with “FINISH”, “yeah right”, “if only” and “we're on the finishing strait” were some of the comments. Another “it looks like I'm on for a PB” made me laugh out loud.
After a few laps the runners were well spread out around the track and it was very comfortable with plenty of space and very considerate fellow runners moving in and out of lanes if required. Runners had left supplies of drinks and foods at the side of the track but as I had arrived so late I hadn't had a chance to stop at a shop and was relying on the race organiser's provisions. There was plenty of water and sports drinks [105 water stations if you like!] and marshals were handing out copious amounts of jelly babies and Vaseline [after nearly 100 laps I was getting a little befuddled and almost started to rub a jelly baby onto my nipple!]
To assist with the lap counting there was a massive chart with the top row noting laps 20, 40, 60 and 100 and the column to the furthest left noted each runners race number, and after you had completed each of the lap milestones a “X” was put beside the lap milestone and your number [sounds complicated but it was a really good idea to keep track of how many laps you had completed. [I had lost count after just a few laps]
I was concerned that I would find a track marathon monotonous and extremely boring but I was really enjoying it and I can't remember another marathon where the first 10 miles went by so quickly. The music from the loudspeakers probably helped to distract and the MC was absolutely fantastic, for the first hour he clapped, danced, sang and encouraged us without stopping [it would probably have taken less effort for him to run for the hour]. After that he picked up the mike and encouraged everyone by name for the next five hours, you could hear him from every part of the track, it was inspiring, and although towards the end he was starting to lose his voice he never lost his enthusiasm. Best MC that I have ever come across by a country mile.
At around lap 70 one of the marshals told me that I was currently the fatest [sorry I just noticed the typo, although possibly apt, that should say fastest ] person on the track and emboldened by this and peacock pride my head swelled and I started to run even faster, unfortunately for me my lactate levels also swelled and the last 15 laps were slow. I finished with a 3.26 and a Garmin that said that I had run 28 miles!!
After a quick hot shower I was ready to leave for the airport and helpful to the end, one of the organisers arranged transport for me. Race Director, Michael Escolme and Sandbach Striders take a bow, you put on a classy 5 star event.
I also should mention the goody bag it was the best I have ever received, from bars of chocolate, to protein shakes, water, banana, medal, pen, a box of tea bags and other goodies it was first class and all for an entry fee of £15. It even had a can of CARLSBERG beer, was this the most enjoyable marathon of the year. PROBABLY!