Weather
Cloudy, calm but mild. Very good running conditions.
It’s now a week since the Brathay 10 marathons in 10 days finished and I’ve not had the chance to write about the final day. It followed the same format as when I did it 2 years ago. I remember it being an exceptionally emotional morning before the race and even though I was expecting it this time it still got to me.
The race start time is moved 1 hour earlier on day 10 for us 10in10ers, this is so the main race can start at 10:30am and allows all the other runners the chance to cheer us off. As usual we prepared for the race in the Wordsworth room of Brathay Hall. But there were a few differences, outside on the lawn were hundreds of runners watching in through the windows. Just outside the door of the Wordsworth room were all the physios who we have looked after us all so well and have got to know over the past 10 days. Finally and to really get out emotions going were all our families and friends. The weather was lovely unlike day 9 and the Wordsworth room was very warm so I opened one of the windows and sat on the window ledge to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the fresh air. It was nice to take the time while I waited for the off to talk to other friends and runners from my vantage point on windowsill. I was soon joined by other 10in10ers, it made for a nice unforgettable moment.
Soaking up the atmosphere early on day 10
Time came for us all to leave the safety of the Wordsworth room and go out onto the lawn for a group hug (a 10in10 thing) and let everyone see us before being the walked down the drive for the final time to the start. This was all very emotional and brought a tear to most of our eyes. We had all come a very long way over the last 10 days and this walk to the start of our final lap was a very special moment
Just before the off on day 10
The start was the same as many of the others days with us having to dib our chips as we started but today there were many more spectators and lots of families and cameras capturing this very special moment.
Once we were round the first bend it was pretty much like any of the other days, it was just us runners and the beautiful scenery. Today due to all the runners that would be shortly following us and the road closers on the first half of the course we would have reduced back up from Aly and Mac and would be more on our own. At 12 miles and the Swan Hotel at the foot of Lake Windermere there was a crowd to cheer me on unlike the previous 9 days. This was the case at a few places along the course, like the manned waters stations and at Bowness.
At the hill at 21 miles where the ice cream van usually is and us 10in10ers affectionately call “Ice Cream Mountain” I was again caught by the lead runner from the main race. He pleasantly let on and I realised he was one of the phyisos! No other runner’s caught me so the run was basically like all the others for me. I think the slower 10in10ers get quite a different experience on the last day as many runners pass them and given them a cheer or a pat on the back. However the race went for all of us, we definitely get the same fantastic finish as was ran up the drive to the hall and down onto the lawn in front of the wonderful cheering crowds and across the finish line. More emotions as I met my family and friends who had been excitedly waiting for me.
Enjoying the lap of honour!
Finishing time
3 hours 32 minutes 24 seconds
The Presentation
I had done it!
My 2nd 10 marathons in 10 days, the first time wasn’t just a fluke!
I had also done it some 3 hours quicker and raised more money for Brathay this second time.
The presentation was at 3:30pm more emotions and celebrations as we all got together on the stage for photos and have our stone trophies presented to us by legendary fell runner Joss Naylor.
A Fantastic event, I’ve loved every minute of it, I’m proud of both what I have achieved with my running and my fundraising for the Brathay Trust.
Time now for a rest.
Will I be back some day?
