Bath Trail Marathon

Club Captain Roy Northcott reports from his lastest 'adventure'...

For marathon No.6 of the year I headed down to my old student stomping ground, Bath University, for the Bath Trail Marathon. Based just outside Bath, on top of the hill meant a relatively easy start, with a circuit of the Uni, heading out past Sham Castle (pictured) and down the hill to pick up the Kennet and Avon Canal for a couple of miles. The first big hill comes after about 10k, followed by a great technical descent where I was in my element. Should have paid more attention to the route description though as hadn't realised there was an even tougher climb shortly after. The route then continued round in a circle and back along the canal to the turn around point to repeat the 2 hills! Even though the sun wasn't shining it was hard going in warm and muggy conditions, but after half way, which I hit in just under 2:30, light rain was most welcome, though it did get rather persistent which wasn't so enjoyable. Hopes of a 5hr finish faded and thought 5:30 might be a struggle, but managed to pick up the pace again in the last few miles and even with the long hill back up to the Uni, managed to finish in 5:23. The organisation was good, the course mostly enjoyable and the marshals probably the best I've experienced in a race so all in all one to recommend.