COATESVILLE CLASSIC 2014
After a long summer of training with very little racing, it was time to get back into my regular schedule of half marathon racing. Typically I like to race once every 4-6 weeks to keep a track of how my fitness is and also to keep the competitive juices flowing!!

I have competed at the Coatesville Classic previously in 2012 and have fond memories of the event. The course is on quiet/ closed rural roads just north of Auckland, though it is rather undulating and there is a climb after the turnaround point of around 5km, and hence difficult to settle into an even pace.

The organisers RUNNING EVENTS are a fantastic crew, and very dedicated on putting together a great event. However on the eve of the race date of 16th March, the race (like many other outdoor events) was postponed due to a cyclone that was due to come crashing over New Zealand.


Due to the rescheduling, the event was not able to utilise the local hall at the event centre for race registration, so the organisers decided to do a rolling roadshow across Auckland in the few days before to allow competitors to register at their convenience. Fortunately for me, one happened to be conveniently right at the bottom of my street!! The race pack was fairly basic, though you were given a reusable waterproof bag, an aluminium water bottle and a t-shirt. Plus all finishers get a fantastic medal, great value for $45!!!

Race morning meant an early start to drive up to Coatesville, which is approximately 30 mins north of the city. There was no issue with traffic at 6am, though it was very dark on the country roads (daylight saving is about to end here)! Once I arrived, there were fantastic officials to guide cars into the parking, and a lit path to the start area.

Having raced here before, I knew mostly what to expect, though being in a rural valley it was much colder than I was expecting, and I spent a good half hour shivering in the dark before starting my warm up. Remembering that 2 years prior I didn't get to my toilet stop before the race due to the queues, I made an early beeline for the portaloos. The event provided for 15 portaloos, though this seems to be barely enough given there were well over 1000 participants racing that morning across the various events.

I started my warm up as it was now about 35 mins before the race start, and then I noticed one of the top 5 gun runners turn up who would certainly earn a podium before 9am! We had a good chat, and wished each other well, and then I downed a gel and made my way to the start line. The advantage of smaller races is that it is easier to get right to the front of the start chute and I duly marked my territory on the front row (me in the red top).

One nice touch was the event allowed for a wheelchair racer Lee Warn to start 5 mins before the rest of the field. And he certainly was noticeable in a gorilla suit!! As it turns out, he had a fantastic race, finishing in 1:49:55, and this includes wheeling himself back up a 5km climb after the half way turnaround. What an amazing effort!

At 7:30am precisely, the gun fired and we were off. I remember shooting off into the lead for the first km when I raced 2 years ago, only to be swamped by the front runners 2km later, so I was a little more measured this morning, letting the top 4-5 shoot away. Based on their racing history and my abilities, I was never going to challenge these guys, so I decided to run my own race.

The first 2km were pretty straight forward, but then there was a steady climb from 3-4km and I tailed off somewhat. In hindsight, I was annoyed with myself as after starting the race with sub-4min km's, this one was my slowest at 4:17, and ultimately cost me a sub 82 min race!!

After about 4km, the road turned and started a gentle down hill section, so I picked up pace. The first drink station was a god send and the marshalls were fantastically encouraging and helpful. I guess being closer to the front you tend to get better service as you aren't in a logjam to get a cup of water!!!

For the next 5km, I traded the 'lead' of the chase pack with 2 other runners as we tried to settle into a good race pace. However, by 9km, it was clear that I was not going to be able to stick with the other 2, and they dropped me before the 10.5km turnaround at the bottom of the hill.

I went through 10km in 38:40, which was a little disappointing, as it meant that I was well off an 80min time, but it was too late to be worried about this, I just had to keep plugging away.

Turning back, meant 2 things- firstly it meant that I was more than half way through, but secondly, it meant a long and laboured climb was ahead of me. The other interesting thing was you get to see how close other runners are behind!

I tried to just focus on the moment as I set about the next 3km, before a left turn and dog leg at 14km. Again, there was fantastic encouragement from the marshalls. Given that this is a rural course, and a smaller race, there is very little in the way of spectators (unless you count the farm animals!), so you take anything you can get...

From here, there was another 3km of climbing before another left turn at 17km, which meant I was on the home stretch. Through these turns I noticed how close the racer behind me was placed. I was in 7th and was intent on holding this position, and the pressure from behind certainly kept me on my toes.

The last 3km were fantastic, rolling and slightly downhill, you finish in a flurry, and turn off the road onto a gravel path as you enter the event centre area with finish gantry in sight and finally some spectators to cheer you on as you charge around to finish.

During this section, I caught sight of the racer in front and started to push as much as possible to close the gap. I was definitely edging closer, but he did manage to stave me off and finish 12 secs in front. Again I was left to rue the rotten 3rd km of the race which was 20 secs off my average pace!!!

I rounded the final turn in the finish chute and scampered over the finish to an appreciative audience in 7th place with a time of 1:22:07.

The race winner managed a fantastic time of 1:14 which was a course record, so a fantastic effort on a fine Sunday morning.

http://tiktok.biz/list/coatesvilleclassic/2014/21km/

Considering the hilly course, I was feeling pretty good and only wishing that I was able to push a little bit faster today. It was not to be, but I was still very pleased and was then handed the fantastic finishers medal... This is without a doubt, one of the best ones you will get in a half marathon race. One observation though was that this year, they awarded the same medal for half marathon finishers and the shorter 8km finishers. A little disappointing really, but understandable given the quality of the medal and the likely cost involved.

So with my race well and truly over before 9am, I chatted to some of the front runners, including my friend Brad who I had bumped into before the race. He had finished 3rd, some 5 mins before me in a fantastic time! I then spotted the massage tent, which was amazingly FREE, so I received a great 10 minute rub down of my calves and hamstrings before the queues arrived! There was also personnel available to provide free stretching for competitors as well.

The other competitors began to pour into the finish (including the 8km racers which started half an hour after the half marathon), where they were met with encouragement and applause, and drinks, bananas plus loved ones waiting for them.

I decided not to hang around for the prizegiving (chancing missed spot prizes including a massive flat screen TV), so headed back to the car park and left on a glorious Sunday morning, satisfied with an honest effort at a fantastic event.

https://www.facebook.com/#!/RunningEvents

I'm looking forward to my next Half Marathon race in 2 weeks, having kicked off the new season in fine style...