Bath Half 2017 Family Fun Run

Date: Sunday 12 March 2017
Venue: Bath
Who Went: Over 950 runners including me

Introduction

The Bath Half Marathon 2017 was due to take place on Sunday 12 March 2017. Just like 2014, 2015 and 2016, a much shorter 1 mile Family Fun Run was also planned for that day. Having already participated in the Bath Half Family Fun Run in 2014, 2015 and 2016, I was determined to enter the Family Fun Run again in 2017, and hopefully achieve my best time and placing to-date. Wednesday 23 November 2016 I looked at the Bath Half website, and they were already taking bookings for the Family Fun Run 2017, therefore I registered for the Family Fun Run 2017.

Race Pack Arrival

My excitement began Monday 20 February 2017 when I opened my A4 envelope for the Bath Half 2017 Family Fun (which I had received a couple of days earlier). It contained the following items:
My race number - Fr 586 (this included a tear-off baggage label which also had the number on)
Bath Half 2017 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 2017 T-shirt (size XL)

Race Day

Before the Race

The big day arrived, Sunday 12 March 2017. 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 Bath Half 2017 Family Fun Run T-shirt, running socks and shoes. Being as the Family Fun Run 2017 race charity was Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens, and one of their colours is pink, I also wore my fluorescent pink sports shorts. In addition I attached my timing chip to my right running shoe before leaving home, to save myself having to do that later.

Around 10:00 I set off for the Runners Village, located on the Recreation Ground. I approached the Runners Village via Bath Sports Centre car park. Unfortunately congestion at the approach to Runners Village Gate 1 (the main entrance accessible from that car park) meant it took me considerably longer than I expected or wanted to get into the Runners Village. Once finally 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. Afterwards I was keen to run in just my Bath Half 2017 Family Fun Run T-shirt and my fluorescent pink shorts (which I already had on underneath my jogging bottoms), so I went to the changing tent to remove my jogging bottoms and place them in my rucksack. Obviously there was the possibility of my bare legs getting a bit cold before the start of the race, but I didn't mind. Once ready 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.

Soon afterwards 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 the Fun Run in 2014, 2015 and 2016, I knew exactly where to go. Several other fun runners were also wearing their Bath Half 2017 Family Fun Run T-shirts, just like me. Whilst waiting I spoke to a few other fun runners about my desire to enter the Family Fun Run 2017. The weather was cloudy and dry at the time, 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 the past three years. Unlike last year, when I was attempting the race in the aftermath of a chest infection, and hence expected to have to walk much of the route, I was convinced I would run all the way without difficulty this time. 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 a few seconds after the horn went. Once past the start line, I knew the golden rule was to pace myself and not run too quickly 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 some 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 harder, especially towards the top of the uphill part of Pulteney Road. Determined not to resort to walking, I slowed my running speed a bit and took deep breaths and looked downwards to give the illusion of flat ground whilst going up the hill. Surprisingly I managed to overtake a few more runners on the uphill section. Eventually I reached the flat bit at the top and carried on running. Having turned the corner into Great Pulteney Street the end was in sight. Out of breath I resisted the temptation to speed up towards the finish line. Instead I maintained a steady running pace until I 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. The time on my own stopwatch was 6 minutes 41.96 seconds. That was considerably better than the 8 minutes 39.36 seconds measured on my own stopwatch last year, but at the time I was uncertain how it compared to my own stopwatch times in 2014 and 2015. 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. A professional photographer 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. 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. The sun appeared during this time. I also took the opportunity to have a cup of coffee in one tent. Eventually I saw the first few Half Marathon finishers arrive there, and briefly spoke to them. Around 12:45 I finally left the Runners Village via the Bath Sports Centre car park. Soon after leaving the Runners Village I felt the need to put my fleece back on, but was able to continue walking around in my shorts for now.

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 Bath Half 2017 Family Fun Run T-shirt and medal, and told them how I'd got on with the Fun Run. Just after 13:30 I was back home, and relaxed for an hour or so.

Late Afternoon

After 14:30 I went out again. The sky was now overcast again, but it was still dry. I deliberately still had my Bath Half 2017 Family Fun Run T-shirt (including the number) and medal on, so I was able to show others my T-shirt and medal, and say how I got on in the Fun Run. Whilst walking around the city centre I spoke to a few Half Marathon runners who had completed their race. However I was shocked to hear that some Half Marathon finishers had returned to the Runners Village only to discover all the medals and Finisher T-shirts had already gone, and were thus unable to get them. I walked up Great Pulteney Street towards the start / finish gantry. When I was near there, I had my picture taken wearing my Bath Half 2017 Family Fun Run T-shirt and medal. By now most Half Marathon runners had finished and the pavement which was full of spectators in the morning was now deserted. Around 15:10 I went to Waitrose Café, where I enjoyed a large cappuccino coffee.

Having left about half an hour later I walked along Great Pulteney Street towards the start / finish point again and took a few more photos. An official said there were still a few more Half Marathon runners expected to complete the course. Nonetheless the timing mats had now been taken up and the officials were now manually logging the remaining few Half Marathon runners as they crossed the finish line. In Edward Street I saw a lorry load of barriers, so evidently officials had already begun clearing up around the Half Marathon route.

Late Evening

Late evening I looked at the official Bath Half Family Fun Run 2017 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 0:06:42 (from the sounding of the start horn to when I crossed the finish line)
Chip time 0:06:39 (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 41.96 seconds) was close to my gun time.

I was the 137th runner past the finish line, which in a field of 958 runners was very good. If you filter the list to just the Adult over 40 category (which I'm in), you will see I was 24th past the finish line out of 224 runners in the Adult over 40 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 over 950 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 20586.

During the days which followed I looked at the Family Fun Run photos. There was a professionally taken photo 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 to 2017 Family Run results:

Year	2014	2015	2016	2017
Own stopwatch	6 mins 49.98 sec	6 mins 59.42 sec	8 mins 39.36 sec	6 mins 41.96 sec
Gun time	0:06:48	0:07:01	0:08:38	0:06:42
Chip time	0:06:43	0:06:48	0:08:07	0:06:39
Position	90th	106	332	137
Total number of runners	924	938	1010	958
Adult over 40 position	6th	9th	63rd	24th
Adult over 40 number of runners	220	232	244	224
Age Performance %	54.44	53.20	43.53	56.54

N.B. Due to building works at the Bath Quays development on Green Park Road, it was necessary for the organisers to divert the Half Marathon runners via nearby Ambury and Corn Street, thereby adding about 60m to the Half Marathon route. This was compensated for by adjusting the position of the start/finish gantry nearer to Great Pulteney Street / Edward Street corner. I have since noticed this by comparing my own photographs of the start / finish gantry which I took late afternoon on race day 2016 and 2017. However the Family Fun Run turnaround point was the same as previous years - the traffic island beneath the railway bridge just past North Parade Road. Therefore it looks as though Family Fun Runners must have run a slightly shorter distance this year compared to 2014 to 2016 inclusive, in which case my 2017 times cannot be directly compared with those of 2014 to 2016.

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

Congestion whilst entering the Runners Village via Gate 1 after 10:00.

Summing Up

Altogether a great race day, it was my fourth 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 950 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. I'm also impressed by my time and placing; they were very good considering I didn't have any practice runs around the streets of Bath during January and February.

Furthermore Family Fun Run participants received their official Bath Half 2017 Family Fun Run T-shirts in their race packs before the event. The advantage of receiving them before the Fun Run, rather than with the medal at the end, meant many Fun Run participants including me wore their Bath Half 2017 Family Fun Run T-shirts during the Fun Run, which added to the enjoyment of the race. Of course I can now wear mine with pride this summer. My Fun Run Finisher medal, which I received after completing the race, will also be a lasting 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, most of whom received their medals and Half Marathon Finisher T-shirts upon their return to the Runners Village, 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 2017.

The weather was good too. Although the sky was overcast before the start of the races, at least it was dry. Thereafter it remained dry the rest of the day and the sun appeared for a couple of hours after I had returned to the Runners Village after completing the Family Fun Run. Furthermore I felt warm enough running in just my T-shirt and fluorescent pink sports shorts this time. Just like last year, the Fun Run and Half Marathon attracted a huge crowd of spectators.

I must admit, I felt shocked to discover from some Half Marathon finishers late afternoon, and from the Bath Half website next day that a substantial number of Half Marathon finishers didn't get their medals and finisher T-shirts on their return to the Runners Village due to insufficient supply. I hope all Half Marathon finishers unable to get their medals and T-shirts eventually received them by post.

What's the betting I'll take part next year? Fun Run 2018 - with pleasure. Half Marathon 2018 - 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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