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Just a quick bulletin from your northern correspondent ....

Blackpool in February was as I expected it to be - bracing ! And deserted, apart from the 1500 hardy souls who'd made the trip for a flat, and sometimes fast, half-marathon. The course is not inspirational - 2 laps of what is basically an out and back course: the 'out' leg is pancake flat, along the Lower Walk, the sea wall; the 'back' leg is along the Middle Walk - higher, and more undulating.

As it turned out, times were good - lots of PB's and season's bests - helped by the cool conditions, and the breeze which was from the side rather than being head-on.

I ran with a target of 1:38, aiming for 7:30/mile, so was a bit shocked to go through 1m in 7:07, but feeling good. There were RW pacers, but not at my pace, so ran with the 7min pacer in sight, but at a distance. I kept as steady as possible, but half expected to blow up in the 2nd half. However, I managed to keep it together, averaging 7:10 - 7:15 for most of the race, only slowing slight between between 10m and 12m, before putting in a 6:51 and a strong finish to end up with 1:34:25

Maybe 1:30 isn't out of the question, after all

Well run R4R and nearly 4 minutes faster than your target time. That's a minute faster than my time in Almeria.

I'm almost certainly heading up to Blackpool and the Lake District for the last 2 weeks of August in my van. Please can you let me know of any good internet sites for races in that area.

Julie

Have often fancied this half mara myself - it being not too far distant from SW running land. Have you done the Liverpool? Quite a good course except for a few meanderings around Sefton Park for the last couple of miles.

I have done Liverpool many times, but not for 2 or 3 years - I think the route has been different every time I have done it. It's another new course this year - starts and finishes at Echo Arena on the waterfront.

Sefton Park section is in middle of the route, then drops down to the river, with the last 3 miles being flat, along the river.

Was looking forward to doing it, but will be picking Mrs r4r up from M'cr airport instead - unfortunate timing

May do the other Blackpool Half instead (Apr 5th)

I'm glad they tinker with the route, makes it more interesting for repeat runners. Not doing it myslef this year either, it clashes with Wilmslow.