Severn Bridge Half Marathon
Report by Christine Cooper
In temperatures of 26 degrees, Rod and I completed the Severn Bridge Half Marathon in Garmin times of 2:26:16 and 2:58:19 respectively. The event was well organised with free parking about a mile from the start. There were three water stations around the course, we would have appreciated more on such a warm day.
The chip-timed race started at 9am on the Welsh side of the bridge, the motorway was closed at the start, so we ran out on the carriageway. We were somewhat surreally piped back into England by a Scottish piper standing on a gantry over the motorway. We came off the motorway and ran past a drum band before running on the undulating English country lanes.
The organisers claim that there is just one hill on the course and each incline that we encountered had a sign to advise us that this was NOT the hill. When we met the hill at mile 8, there was no doubting that this was indeed THE hill. A steep lane raising about 80 metres at a 25% gradient. We followed a loop before heading back to the bridge. This time we ran over the bridge on the footpath, then through a very welcome shady tunnel before encountering the last half mile, which was up hill until the last 200 metres enabling a sprint finish.
The Marshalls were very encouraging and the medics were out in force. The Great Western Air Ambulance is the charity that benefits from the funds raised by this race and the 10k race that started an hour later.
The medal is fantastic, featuring the bridge and the flags of England and Wales. The goody bag contained a non-technical souvenir t-shirt, water, banana, crisps, raisins and chocolate biscuit.
A great race, very reminiscent of the Humber Bridge Half Marathon, with almost identical elevation gains. We were both slower today, due to the heat, but thoroughly enjoyed the views of the Severn Estuary and the Gloucestershire countryside.