The Big Half – London 2024 –

– Race Report by Anna Harrison –

 

The Big Half London, 01.09.24

 

Four of us were lucky enough to get places at the Big Half.  A big thanks to Dave Cregan.

Sadly, due to Fredy having an injury (and no option to swap or defer) he couldn’t take part, but myself, Simon and Chris did.

Several other TRAC members also entered including Dave, Olu, Louis (Thanet Junior Runners) and new member Jay (results showed as Jauy). Lizo sadly due to injury also had to pull out. 

 

With Jay on the 7.05 train from Ramsgate (top tip to use if after 9.10 wave).

 

 

 

 

Chris in action and Chris and Louis relaxed after!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Olu looking happy to start!     

 

 

 

 

The route starts just north of Tower Bridge, ending at Cutty Sark.  The roads are flat and wide, a slight hill as you come out the tunnel at Limehouse and a couple of patches where there were cobbled streets. Supporters lined parts of the route with some musical support in patches, including a steel band, orchestra and 3 lots of DJs.  For the first 2 miles I followed a guy with a speaker on his back and thankfully I liked his tunes! It may not have the sights of some of the London Runs but going over Tower Bridge certainly made me (and others) smile.

 

 

 

 

It was a HOT day – and apart from the tunnel (which was warm) there wasn’t much shade, even round the buildings in Canary Wharf. However, there were lots of water stations and they put on an extra along with 3 water misters to run through (I loved that part)!

 

 

Great results as you will see below – and as I was waiting for the call of my wave I was lucky and excited to see Louis go past and then Chris, at mile 7, just about to go over Tower Bridge!

 

 

There were 8757 male finishers and 7612 female finishers.

 

 

Results:

190 – Louis Eldred – 1:19:35

293 – Chris Brenchley – 1:22:07

3427 – Simon Cowdery – 1:51:04

4894 – Olu Dada – 2:00:01

5615 – Jay Bracken – 2:06:06

2968 – Anna Harrison – 2:11:05

6852 – Dave Cregan – 2:17:58

 

 

A tip for future entrants, they may not call your wave after E (which happened but lots of us weren’t expecting that).  The announcer (and he was lovely and enthusiastic) said you will go as you get to the start. Eventually as people were released you see pacers queuing ahead of you. By the time I saw them I was behind 2.35 so dodged through to get to 2.15 as 2.10 had gone (not that I would have done my PB or even 2.10 in the heat)!

 

 

I hope the others agree that there was good communication, entry pack arrives in advance, organised bag drop, lots of refreshments and toilets on the course. Then a festival area at the end where if you are lucky you may spot others or route to it or arrange to meet them! Simon and then found the four Coasties who entered!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great medal and L/S Tshirt with option to contribute to a tree or have more planted if you don’t want them! Then time for a celebratory drink after – as we know at TRAC – it’s not all about the running!!

 

 

 

 

Thanks run leaders and club members for the help and encouragement. I was pleased to go round without stopping – well apart from moving cones for an ambulance – and able to walk after!! Anna

 

 

Thanks Anna for the great report. It sounded like a hot day in the capital. Well done everyone!