Sunday 27th April 2008. The hottest day of the year so far, saw Robin and Alan running the Shakespeare Marathon in Stratford upon Avon.
3500 runners took part on what was forecast to be a wet an unpleasant day. The weather turned out hot and sunny with Robin running a 3hr36 and Alan a 4hr02.
The course was pleasant through the town but after two and a half miles turned out onto country lanes for two laps on roads with few supporters and not much to look at.
The organisers had done a great job with plenty of marshals and lots of water stops. Most runners found the last three miles very tough along the disused railway in direct sunlight, but all got a great welcome upon arriving riverside opposite the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. There is a rumour that the Berlin Marathon may feature later in the year, but I am reserving judgement until my legs recover. More later…