Bath Half 2015 Family Fun Run

Date: Sunday 1 March 2015
Venue: Bath
Who Went: Over 930 runners including me

Introduction

The Bath Half Marathon 2015 was due to take place on Sunday 1 March 2015. Just like 2014, a much shorter 1 mile Family Fun Run was also planned for that day. Having already participated in the Bath Half 2014 Family Fun Run I was determined to enter the Family Fun Run again in 2015, and hopefully improve on my times and placing compared to 2014. Monday 5 January 2015 I looked at the Bath Half website; although the Half Marathon was now sold out places were available on the Family Fun Run, so I registered for the Family Fun Run.

Race Pack Arrival

My excitement began Friday 6 February when I received an A4 envelope for the Bath Half 2015 Family Fun. It contained the following items:
My race number - Fr 755 (this included a tear-off baggage label which also has the number on)
Bath Half 2015 Half Marathon and Family Fun Run Race Day Guide
IPICO timing chip (in a sealed envelope, not to be opened until race day)
Family Fun Run 2015 T-shirt (size XL)

It must be said, I was really disappointed when I first saw this year's official Fun Run T-shirt. It just had the Jamie's Farm logo on the front, because Jamie's Farm was the official Family Fun Run charity this year. There was no mention of Bath Half 2015 Family Fun Run anywhere on it, unlike last year. I thought the T-shirt was supposed to be a souvenir of the Family Fun Run 2015, and therefore expected it to mention Bath Half 2015 Family Fun Run as well as the sponsor logo. Nonetheless I was determined to wear my Jamie's Farm T-shirt on race day anyway.

Days Before Race Day

During the rest of February I was in two minds about whether to buy some basic running shoes or run in the trainers I normally wear for everyday walking, just like last year. After much thought about this, Thursday 26 February I went to Sports Direct, Bath and bought a pair of Karrimor running shoes. I also bought a pair of running socks whilst there. Unfortunately by leaving it that close to race day to buy them, I only had two days left before race day in which to do a practice run in them. For various reasons I ended up not trying them out in that time.

Race Day

Before The Race

The big day arrived, Sunday 1 March 2015. From very early on parking suspensions and road closures were in place on the streets of Bath required for the Half Marathon and Family Fun Run. I put on my Jamie's Farm T-shirt and my brand new running socks and shoes. In addition I attached my timing chip to my left running shoe before leaving home, to save myself having to do that later.

Around 9:30 I set off for the Runners Village, located on the Recreation Ground. I entered the Runners Village via the main entrance accessible from Bath Sports Centre car park. Once inside the Runners Village my first stop was the Information Tent, where I managed to get some safety pins to attach my number to my T-shirt. Suddenly it began to rain, the last thing anyone wanted whilst waiting and then running outside. Fortunately the rain soon stopped. My next decision was whether to keep my jogging bottoms on for the run, or take them off and run in my red shorts which I already had on underneath them. After some thought I decided to remove my jogging bottoms, place them in my rucksack and run in my red shorts, despite the possibility of my bare legs getting cold before the start of the race. Whilst waiting I had a few pictures taken of me around the Runners Village, and spoke to a few Half Marathon runners; I wished them luck at running 13.1 miles, but said there's no way I could face running that far.

Eventually I headed for the Luggage Tent which was divided into bays; the far left bay was for the Family Fun Run, whereas each of the other bays was for a specified range of Half Marathon runner numbers. Determined to run in just my T-shirt and shorts, I placed my fleece top in my rucksack before handing it in at the Family Fun Run bay. After 10:30 runners were asked to proceed to their relevant starting positions. Family Fun Run participants had to assemble in Edward Street before the Half Marathon was due to start at 11:00. Having previously run last year's Fun Run, I knew exactly where to go. Several other fun runners were also wearing their Jamie's Farm T-shirts, just like me. Whilst waiting I spoke to a few other fun runners about my desire to enter the Family Fun Run 2015, several of whom agreed with me it's a shame the official Fun Run 2015 T-shirts don't mention Bath Family Fun Run 2015 anywhere on them. Unlike last year it was dry and sunny whilst waiting, albeit a bit chilly for just T-shirt and shorts.

Following the countdown the Half Marathon runners started at 11:00. Whilst waiting in Edward Street, Family Fun Run participants were able to watch the Half Marathon runners go by. I was standing quite close to Great Pulteney Street, so I had a fairly clear view of the Half Marathon runners. The white numbered runners passed by, followed by the green numbered runners and finally the orange numbered runners.

Family Fun Run

Once all the Half Marathon runners had passed by the time was around 11:20, and Family Fun Run participants were led to the start line. Although I hadn't had any practice runs during the weeks leading up to the race, I was much more confident about running the route this time having already done so last year. My only concern was how I would get on running in brand new shoes for the first time ever on race day. The officials announced two minutes to the start, followed by one minute to the start. After the ten seconds final countdown, the starting horn sounded and everyone set off.

The Fun Run involved running the first half a mile of the Half Marathon course, i.e. the east end of Great Pulteney Street, followed by Darlington Street and Pulteney Road, before doing a U-turn to return to the start. I started my own stopwatch when the starting horn sounded, and began running as soon as the runners in front of me had proceeded forwards. Due to there being several runners in front of me before the start, I actually crossed the start line several seconds after the horn went. Once past the start line, I knew the golden rule was to pace myself and not run too fast to begin with, and not worry about other, faster runners passing me. Everyone had to keep to the right hand side of Darlington Street, to the right of the roundabout at the bottom of Bathwick Hill and to the right of Pulteney Road. The outward leg was fairly easy going and I overtook many other runners, especially on the downhill section of Pulteney Road. As I neared the Family Fun Run turnaround point (the traffic island beneath the railway bridge just past North Parade Road) I could already see some runners starting to head back on the other side of the road. At the turnaround point, officials ensured everyone went around the island, keeping to the right of the island both directions.

After the turnaround point, the return leg seemed much harder, especially along the uphill part of Pulteney Road. I thought I would have to slow down to walking pace. On the way up the hill, one other participant I passed was walking! Determined to run all the way I took deep breaths, and looked downwards to give the illusion of flat ground whilst going up the hill. Eventually I reached the flat bit at the top, and having turned the corner into Great Pulteney Street the end was in sight. Out of breath I resisted the temptation to speed up and overtake the runner ahead of me. Instead I maintained a steady running pace and crossed the finish line. Hurray, I managed to run from start to finish without stopping or resorting to walking part of the way! As soon as I crossed the finish line, I stopped my watch. Suddenly I was gutted to discover the time on my own stopwatch was 6 minutes 59.42 seconds, because that was about 10 seconds longer than the 6 minutes 49.98 seconds measured on my own stopwatch last year. I was hoping to complete the route quicker than last year, not take longer than last year. Although I appreciated and understood my own stopwatch time was unofficial, it was good enough for me until I could get my official IPICO timing chip time later.

After The Race

Having passed the finish line, I walked back to the Runners Village via Great Pulteney Street and William Street. All Family Fun Runners were given a Fun Runner Finisher medal (which included the race date) and goody bag for completing the course. Two professional photographers photographed me with my medal around my neck. The next stop was the de-chipping station, where officials removed runners' timing chips from their shoes and placed them in the bucket. The official times were expected to be published on the Bath Half website during the evening. I showed my stopwatch time to the officials who removed my timing chip, and to several other Fun Run finishers, and said I felt gutted to have taken slightly longer than last year. They were all impressed with my stopwatch time, and thought it was very good. Next I collected my rucksack from the Luggage Tent. After that I hung around the Runners Village for a bit, to have further photos taken of me around there. Eventually I saw the first few Half Marathon finishers arrive there, and briefly spoke to them. At 12:30 I finally left the Runners Village via the Bath Sports Centre car park. Having left the Runners Village I was beginning to feel cold in just T-shirt and shorts, so I put my jogging bottoms and fleece back on.

It was now lunchtime so I bought myself a baguette from a sandwich shop in the city centre. Afterwards I walked across Widcombe Footbridge and, whilst eating my lunch, watched the Half Marathon runners running their final mile. I also showed a few other spectators my Jamie's Farm T-shirt and medal, and told them how I'd got on with the Fun Run. Just before 13:30 I was back home, and relaxed for an hour or so.

Late Afternoon

After 14:30 I went to Waitrose Café, whereupon I enjoyed a large cappuccino coffee. On my way there, and in the café, I spoke to a few Half Marathon runners who had completed their race; I was amazed and surprised at their having completed the 13.1 miles. I deliberately still had my Jamie's Farm T-shirt (including the number) and medal on, so I was able to show them my T-shirt and medal, and say how I got on in the Fun Run.

By the time I left heavy rain was falling. Just after 15:30, I walked along Great Pulteney Street towards the start / finish point. The last Half Marathon runner had now crossed the finish line, and the street was deserted compared to earlier. Officials were now clearing up. I spoke to one of the officials, who said the start / finish gantry had to be down by 18:00 that evening. In addition I spotted a truck carrying mile markers, so evidently those had been removed from the route already.

Late Evening

Late evening I looked at the official Bath Half Family Fun Run 2015 race results on the Bath Half website. Here are my official times. Notice there are actually two times; gun time and chip time.

Gun time 0:07:01 (from the sounding of the start horn to when I crossed the finish line)
Chip time 0:06:48 (from when I personally crossed the start line to when I crossed the finish line)
Thus the time I measured on my own watch (6 minutes 59.42 seconds) was close to my gun time.

I was the 106th runner past the finish line, which in a field of 938 runners was excellent. If you filter the list to just the Adult over 40 category (which I'm in), you will see I was 9th past the finish line out of 232 runners in the Adult over 40 category; in other words I was one of the fastest in that category.

I already had a near enough idea of the time I took, measured on my own watch. Naturally I was disappointed not to have finished in the first 100 runners, but in a field of 938 runners my place was still very good.

Full results available here. If you wish to display just my entry, my race number as recorded in the results table is 20755.

During the days which followed I looked at the Family Fun Run photos. There were two professionally taken photos of me at the Runners Village after receiving my medal (which I knew about), in addition to a few of me on the course (which I didn't know about). So far I haven't bought any of my photos. However I have downloaded my free certificate which was available from the website. The time recorded on the certificate is my chip time.

Comparison Table

Here is a comparison of my Bath Half 2014 and 2015 Family Run Run results:

Year	2014	2015
Own stopwatch	6 mins 49.98 sec	6 mins 59.42 sec
Gun time	0:06:48	0:07:01
Chip time	0:06:43	0:06:48
Position	90th	106th
Total number of runners	924	938
Adult over 40 position	6th	9th
Adult over 40 number of runners	220	232

Clearly I did slightly worse in 2015 compared to 2014. If I participate in the Bath Half Family Fun Run 2016, I must try and improve on my 2014 times and placings.

Outro

Highlights

Running the whole route from start to finish without stopping or resorting to walking.
Getting my Finisher medal at the end.
Talking to other runners (Half Marathon and Family Fun Run) before and after the races.

Lowlights

Feeling disappointed when I discovered I'd taken longer to run the race than I did last year.

Summing Up

Altogether a great race day, it was my second time of entering the Bath Half Family Fun Run. Although I didn't run the Half Marathon, it was nonetheless really satisfying to run a tiny portion of the Half Marathon route with over 930 other Family Fun Run participants on race day. I am proud to have run the entire Fun Run route from start to finish again, without stopping or resorting to walking. However I am really disappointed at having taken slightly longer to complete the race this time; I was hoping to take slightly less time this year than last. Nonetheless my time and placing were still excellent considering I didn't have any practice runs around the streets of Bath during January and February.

My other disappointment was the official Family Fun Run 2015 T-shirt which I received with my race pack in February, and was thus able to wear during the race. It just bears the Jamie's Farm logo, with no mention of Bath Half 2015 Family Fun Run anywhere. Whenever I wear it in future, no-one will know it was from the Bath Half Family Fun Run 2015, unlike last year's Family Fun Run T-shirt which had both Bath Half 2014 Family Fun Run and last year's sponsor logo Send A Cow on it. All I can hope is that next year the organisers will put both Bath Half 2016 Family Fun Run and the applicable sponsor logo on the Fun Run T-shirts which all Fun Runners receive.

Fortunately my Fun Run Finisher medal mentions the race date, so that will be a proper souvenir of the Fun Run. It's a pity the organisers didn't give each Fun Run finisher and Half Marathon finisher a free blue Team Bath hoody, made by Surridge, but I guess that would be asking a bit too much. Well done to everyone else who participated in the Fun Run. Even more so congratulations to those who completed the Half Marathon, and thus received their medals and Half Marathon Finisher T-shirts, I'm amazed and surprised they can run 13.1 miles. How on Earth, in the world, do they do it? Many thanks to Running High Events Ltd for arranging the Half Marathon and Family Fun Run 2015.

The weather was generally better than last year. Despite the quick shower when I first arrived at the Runners Village, it was dry and generally sunny until after 13:00, and later dry but overcast until the last few Half Marathon runners crossed the finish line around 15:15. Although it was a bit chilly, I felt comfortable running in just my T-shirt and red sports shorts this time. Just like last year, the Fun Run and Half Marathon attracted a huge crowd of spectators.

What's the betting I'll take part next year? Fun Run 2016 - with pleasure. Half Marathon 2016 - I don't think so! There's no way on Earth I could face running 13.1 miles! The sheer thought of it puts me off. A more realistic next step, possibly later this year, would be a 5K run somewhere.

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