Bath Half 2019 Family Fun Run

Date: Sunday 17 March 2019
Venue: Bath
Who Went: Over 1,000 runners including me

Introduction

The Bath Half Marathon 2019 was due to take place on Sunday 17 March 2019. Just like previous years, a much shorter one-mile Family Fun Run was also planned for that day. Having previously participated in the Bath Half Family Fun Run in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, I registered for the 2018 Fun Run, only for it to be cancelled two days before race day due to snow. Naturally then, I was even more determined to enter the Family Fun Run again in 2019, and hopefully achieve my best time and placing to-date. During the evening of Tuesday 4 December 2018, I looked at the Bath Half website, and bookings were already being taken for the Family Fun Run 2019, therefore I registered for the Family Fun Run 2019.

Race Pack Arrival

My excitement began just after breakfast on Monday 11 March 2019, when I opened my A4 envelope for the Bath Half 2019 Family Fun (which I had received about a fortnight earlier). It contained the following items:
My race number - FR 86 (this included a tear-off baggage label which also had the number on)
IPICO timing chip (in a sealed envelope, not to be opened until race day)
Bath Half 2019 Half Marathon and Family Fun Run Race Day Guide
Family Fun Run 2019 T-shirt (size XL)
Leaflet giving pre-race tips (that was new, I had never received one of those in my race pack before)

Race Day

Before the Race

The big day arrived, Sunday 17 March 2019. 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 2019 Family Fun Run T-shirt (with my race number pinned to it beforehand), sports shorts, jogging bottoms, running socks and shoes. In addition, I attached my timing chip to one of my running shoes before leaving home, to save myself having to do that later.

Around 09:45 I set off for the Runners Village, located on the Recreation Ground. I approached the Runners Village via Bath Sports Centre car park. When I got there around 09:50, congestion at the approach to Runners Village Gate 1 (the main entrance accessible from that car park) meant it took me a few minutes to get into the Runners Village. Once finally inside the Runners Village, I was keen to run in my shorts, which were already under my jogging bottoms. I went into the changing tent, removed my jogging bottoms and placed 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. However, for now at least, I kept my fleece on. 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. Someone wished me luck with my race (Family Fun Run).

By 10:30, I had made the final decision to keep my fleece on, fully unzipped to show my number, for the race. 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. However, the entrance to the Family Fun Run bay was closed, so I had to hand my rucksack in at the neighbouring Half Marathon entrance and it was placed in the Family Fun Run bay. Soon afterwards, 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, 2016 and 2017, I knew exactly where to go. Several other fun runners were also wearing their Bath Half 2019 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 2019. The weather was sunny and dry at the time. Whilst waiting, I felt a bit thirsty, and wished I had taken a bottle of tap water with me before leaving home, so I could have drunk some or all of it before handing in my rucksack, but it was too late to do anything about that now. All I could do was run the race, and look forward to a bottle of water upon finishing.

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. I was confident about running the route, having already done so each year from 2014 to 2017 inclusive. Furthermore, unlike those said years, I did three practice runs in the first half of the week leading up to race day. Just before the start of the race, the officials reminded everyone that the race is a fun run, and that they were here to enjoy themselves. 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. I must have been some way back from the start line, because I've since discovered, from my results, that it took me ‭11‬ seconds to cross the start line. Once past the start line, I began running at a gentle pace, but it wasn't long before I speeded up. By the time I reached Great Pulteney Street / Edward Street corner, I had already overtaken some runners, and had become intent on passing as many other runners further ahead as I could. 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; as hoped, I overtook lots of other runners, along Darlington Street and 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.‬‬‬

The return leg felt considerably harder, as I was already getting out of breath. I reduced my running speed and took deep breaths. Soon after the turnaround point, I was behind two other runners; I wanted to pass them, and further participants ahead of them, but for now that was just not possible. If I'd tried to overtake anyone ahead of me at this point, I'd almost certainly have needed to resort to walking. Determined to maintain my current position in the field, I continued running at my reduced pace behind them, and others ahead of them, hoping to overtake later. The hardest part was the uphill section of Pulteney Road, so I looked downwards to give the illusion of flat ground whilst running up the hill. Eventually, I reached the flat bit at the top and carried on running at the same pace. Having turned the corner into Great Pulteney Street, the end was in sight. I still wanted to overtake the runners who had been ahead of me for so long, but I was so out of breath, it was impossible for me to speed up and pass anyone else. As I neared the finish line, I had no alternative but to let everyone who was ahead of me cross the line before me. Just before I crossed the line, someone behind me overtook me, and thus finished ahead of me. As soon as I crossed the finish line, I stopped my watch. The time on my own stopwatch was 6 minutes 59.60 seconds. I felt gutted, as this wasn't my best time to-date. 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

Shortly after the finish line, I stopped by the edge barrier briefly to catch my breath. An official told runners to continue walking. After a few seconds, I walked back to the Runners Village via Great Pulteney Street and William Street. On my way into the Runners Village, I was given a bottle of water; I was so thirsty I drunk most of it straightaway. Back inside the Runners Village, the first stop was the de-chipping station, where officials removed runners' timing chips from their shoes and placed them in the bucket for future re-use. All Family Fun Runners were given a Fun Runner Finisher medal (which included the race date) and goody bag for completing the course. Someone was handing out the goody bags to Fun Runner finishers, but unlike previous years, I couldn't see anyone handing out medals. This was because, for the first time, the medals were in the goody bags. I took my medal out and put it around my neck, and having done that, a professional photographer photographed me in the Runners Village. 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, other Fun Run finishers and others I spoke to around the Runners Village. They were all impressed with my stopwatch time, and thought it was very good, even though I was a bit disappointed with it. 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. I went into the University of Bath Students Union tent, and had a cup of coffee there. Eventually, I saw the first few Half Marathon finishers arrive there, and briefly spoke to them. Around 12:45 I put my jogging bottoms back on, and left the Runners Village via the Bath Sports Centre car park.

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 2019 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 mostly cloudy, but it was still dry. I deliberately still had my Bath Half 2019 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. 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 2019 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. However, the race clock was still active, as there were still a few runners yet to complete the Half Marathon. Around 15:10 I went to Waitrose Café, where I enjoyed a regular 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. By now the race clock had been switched off. I found out, from an official, that the last Half Marathon runner had crossed the finish line. The officials were clearing up around the start / finish area. In Vane 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 2019 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 00:06:57 (from the sounding of the start horn to when I crossed the finish line)
Chip time 00:06:46 (from when I personally crossed the start line to when I crossed the finish line)

As expected, my own stopwatch time of 6 minutes 59.60 seconds is nearer to my gun time, because I started my watch as the starting horn went (not when I actually crossed the start line) and stopped it when I crossed the finish line.

I was the 151st runner past the finish line, which in a field of 1008 runners, was very good. If you filter the list to just the Overall male category (which I'm in), you will see I was 111th past the finish line out of 481 runners in the Overall male category (which, I've noticed, covers men and boys of all ages).

Since race day, I haven't seen Adult over 40 statistics like were shown in 2014 to 2017. Evidently that's not going to be shown this year. On the other hand, there are other statistics (e.g. average pace) which I don't remember seeing from 2014 to 2017. This could now make comparing my Fun Run results from different years difficult, as not all items will be available for all years.

Full results available here. Within this list, my entry can be accessed by entering my race number, which is 20086.

To access my own results directly, please click here

Although I'm satisfied with my results, it's a pity I didn't get a gun time within 6 minutes 30 seconds, especially as I took the trouble to do three practice runs in the first half of the week leading up to race day. Perhaps I ought to have started running twice a week in the middle of January to have done better in the Family Fun Run 2019. The main thing is, I thoroughly enjoyed running the Family Fun Run 2019.

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.

Comparison Table

Here is a comparison of my full 2019 results and my results from 2014 to 2017. Please note that, unlike previous years, this year there is an Overall male category (covering men and boys of all ages), On the other hand, previous years had an Adult over 40 category, which this year's results lack. Therefore, some of my statistics for this year cannot be compared with previous years and vice versa.

2019

Own stopwatch 6 mins 59.60 sec
Gun time 00:06:57
Chip time 00:06:46
Overall - Running | Fun Run 151/1008
Overall male - Running | Fun Run 111/481
Average pace 05:48/km
Average speed 10.35km/h
Pace (split) 05:38 /km
Speed (split) 10.62 km/h

It appears to me that my average pace and average speed are based on gun time, whereas my split pace and split speed are based on my chip time.

Previous Years

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, in 2017 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 first noticed this soon after the 2017 Fun Run 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 2014 to 2016 - 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 in 2017 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 goody bag, including 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 sixth time of entering, and fifth time of participating in, the Bath Half Family Fun Run (I entered the 2018 Fun Run, but it was cancelled two days before race day, due to snow). 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 1,000 other Family Fun Run participants on race day. Whilst I'm satisfied with my time and placing, I feel I could and should have done a bit better; I'd have liked a gun time within 6 minutes 30 seconds. Nonetheless, I suppose my time and placing were still very good considering my limited amount of training; just three practice runs in the first half of the week leading up to race day. Perhaps I ought to have started practice runs mid-January. Alternatively, perhaps I got too excited about speeding up and overtaking as many other runners as I could too soon, and thus needed to slow down just after half way. Maybe if I'd started at a gentler pace for the first half, I could have speeded up towards the end, e.g. after I was back at the top of the uphill section of Pulteney Road. Thankfully I still managed to run the entire Fun Run route from start to finish again, without stopping or resorting to walking; an achievement to be proud of.

Furthermore, Family Fun Run participants received their official Bath Half 2019 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 2019 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 in my goody bag after completing the race, will also be a lasting souvenir of the Fun Run. Well done to everyone else who participated in the Fun Run. Even more so congratulations to those who completed the Half Marathon, who 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 2019.

The weather was good too, dry and sunny with broken cloud in the sky. Thankfully it was nowhere near as windy as it was the day before race day. Although my legs were warm enough running in my sports shorts, I felt the need to wear my fleece, fully unzipped, over my T-shirt this time. Just like 2017, and previous years, the Fun Run and Half Marathon attracted a huge crowd of spectators.

What's the betting I'll take part next year? Fun Run 2020 - with pleasure. Half Marathon 2020 - 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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