Hot, hilly, and very, very hard

Trail Escape Marathon Manchester
6:41:54

That was probably the hardest race I've ever run. It was sooo hot and I've never drunk so much during a race. I had a litre and a half in my pack as well as filling up my water bottle at least once at every aid station.

The race started at Philip's Park near the Etihad Stadium going out of Manchester along a supposed green route. The first big climb was up to Hartshead Pike that you could see coming from miles away* thanks to the tower on top. That was the point that the more sensible people running the 25k turned right while the idiots turned left and made their way through the countryside before starting the long climb* up to the highest point on Alphin Pike*. I was already aching by this point and it wasn't even halfway. It wasn't long after this that I tripped and my left calf cramped so badly that I couldn't straighten it.

Over 3 hours to get to that point, I knew it was going to be a long day. But I also knew it would still be quicker to get myself back to the finish than give up so I kept going. Everyone on the course though was having the same problems, it was just too damn hot. Eventually back down the other side of Alphin Pike, then back up and down Hartshead Pike for the last 10k to the finish and I was somehow still in the top half of the finishers. I even had some company on the last run into the finish*. Massive thanks to Owen* and Louisa for being there at the end, it really helped as I was feeling pretty fed up by the time I got there.