Race Date: Sunday 14th June 2015

A 6am departure was required for us to make it to Liverpool in time for the 9am half marathon start. The full marathon was due off at 10am. Ashleigh Barron and Emma Portus had gone for the half option whereas Martyn Goldsack was running his second marathon and I myself was making a debut at this distance.

The weather was kind, not the torrential rain of Sheffield the day before nor the dreaded 25 degree heat that can sometimes hit us in June. Cool and overcast in the morning was perfect.

I think my lasting memories of this marathon will be turning to run up the Mersey at around the 22 mile mark and being hit by a pretty strong headwind – it made those last 4 miles so hard and the comedian who decided that after we had picked up our goodies from the Liverpool Arena stage floor, the exit was up two flights of stairs. It was quite comical watching people trying to climb those stairs having just completed 26.2 miles.

So marathon number one completed, roll on Chester!

Anyway, results. Big well done to all the Striders present but especially to Martyn who stormed to a PB of 3:06:13. The sub 3 hours is getting closer.The half marathon had 5526 runners and was won by Tarus Elly in 1:10:07. First lady home was Michelle Nolan in 1:21:54 whereas the full marathon had 2481 runners and was won by Rob Pope in 2:29.28. The first woman across the line was Joanne Nelson in 3:00:20

Striders Half Marathon Results