Zagreb Marathon and Half - 12 October 2014
An excited group of 15 Roadrunners boarded the minibus at 4am on October 10th, headed for Gatwick and then Croatia. In the check-in queue, it soon became clear who among the group had checked the weather forecast for Zagreb, with some in furry boots and heavy jumpers and others in flip flops and sunglasses. At airport security, it also became clear who had checked their hand luggage and who hadn’t, as a World War 2 bullet casing was discovered in Susan Hunt’s handbag and confiscated by officials.
Zagreb was basking in a 26 degree heat wave, so a happy 2 days was spent hydrating in street cafes, planning race strategies and speculating about how rigorously the 5 hour marathon cut-off would be enforced. Race day dawned.
The support crew (Pete Scarrott, Mike Pratley, Mick Hunt, Ewen Smith, Tim Rodgers, Mike and Treasa Burton) took up their positions.
Mike Smith, coming back from injury, had been tasked with pacing Susan Hunt to a half marathon PB, so for the first time in his running career, he lined up with the masses behind the elites.
Lynn Hudson is not a fan of running in the heat, so was glad to be doing the half. Steph Holton and Catherine Wheeler were hoping that the race would deliver on its promise of a “flat and fast” marathon. Gary Holton and Pamela Parton had spent many weeks under the experienced wing of Shirley Creed, who had been patiently and cheerfully nurturing them in the art of marathon running ahead of their race debut. Gary was apprehensive having lost several weeks of training due to injury. They cautiously took their place at the back of the field (oblivious that they were so far back that they were actually in the starting pen of the 5k race).
The race unfolded with the drama typical of a club-trip. Susan managed to maintain a pace that she had previously only dreamed of for 12 miles, before she began to crumple (Mike hadn’t realised that “pacing” Susan would include holding her up for the last mile). She rolled over the finish in 1:41:15 (a 2 minute PB). A shocked; but undeterred Mike then joined Catherine and Steph for the second half of their marathon. Meanwhile, Lynn finished the Half in a triumphant 2:04:19.
Gary’s decision to start the marathon had been a brave one; but sadly at around halfway he had to make the tough decision to postpone his debut marathon finish for another day.
Meanwhile, Steph and Catherine struggled with the unrelenting heat and mentally tough out-and-back laps; whilst their chaperone, Mike, only reported discomfort in his little finger from holding Steph’s drink. Happily, the training miles they’d banked on their long evening runs paid off, and they both finished smiling: Catherine in 3:40:52 and Steph in 3:47:05 (beating Mike in a sprint finish).
Shirl’s mission was to deliver Pam to the finish within the race’s 5 hour cut-off and, thanks to Shirl’s perfect pacing and Pam’s grit and determination, they cruised over the line (wrapped in their national flags) in 4:55:11 and 4:55:10 respectively.
The prize-giving ceremony revealed that Susan, Lynn and Steph had all come second in their age categories, for which they were each awarded a plastic ‘clapper’, a cap and a can of Red Bull.
At the celebratory dinner, the Dennis Abbotts trophy was jointly awarded to Shirl (ace-marathon coach) and pupil Pam.
Many thanks to Mike (aided by Richard Bufton) for organising another superb club trip.
Highlights
Sporting Mike Smith paced 3 of our ladies in the unrelenting heat at Zagreb.
Susan Hunt knocks 2-minutes off her half marathon PB.
Pam Parton completes her first marathon in under 5 hours, expertly accompanied by Shirly Creed.
Other reports may be found on our recent race reports page.