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ASICS Fleet Pre-London Half Marathon News

Newsletter Issue 2 – 17 March 2010

Amazon Windows & Conservatories continue with their support to the local community and wish all the runners a successful race, with some PBs being achieved.

It is the final count down to the 2010 Fleet pre-London Half Marathon. The training is behind you and you should now be enjoying an easy last few days before the race on Sunday. Make sure you get sufficient fuel and fluids on board before Sunday but don’t over do it or try anything new. Stick to your normal routines and race preparations – you know what works for you.  

We have got our fingers crossed for the weather – the forecast seems to be changing every day. According to the various websites I have visited today it could be sunny, cloudy, raining or any combination. Let’s hope the sun chooses to shine on us all on the day.

The next few days are very busy for the team behind the event. The months of preparation are nearly coming to an end but there is still a lot to do. For those who haven’t been involved with race organisation you would be amazed at what has to happen – most of which is invisible to those taking part. Everything from purchasing 16,000 plastic cups for water stations, setting up everything in the park, liaising with all the third party groups involved to putting all the race route signs up across the race weekend. For locals you will have already seen the advanced warning signs but many more signs start to go up on Friday with more on Saturday and Sunday. Think of us on Friday (when it is meant to be raining!!) putting out all the arrows, beware runners signs etc – everything to make the route as clear and as safe for you as we can.

We had to get the final section of the route re-measured for 2010 due to a road layout change between miles 11 and 12. This process was initiated at the end of November 2009 but unfortunately we have only been advised this last weekend that there is a discrepancy between the new measurement taken and the previous certified measurement for that section. We have been advised that the start has to be moved back 68m to cover this but the re-certification cannot take place before the race. 

On behalf of the race I apologise but unfortunately it is out of our hands as it is completed by a UKA accredited course measurer. On my request I have asked for this re-certification to be completed as soon as possible after the event and it will be retro-certified.

When you are running on Sunday please remember to thank some of the marshals as you pass by them – they will appreciate it. It can be a long day for some of them dependent on where they are on the route. Unfortunately they do sometimes have to listen to the moans and groans of the car drivers but many of them come back year after year to help support us. They do a fantastic job and without them we simply couldn’t have the event. There are well over 100 volunteer marshals on the course as well as many other helpers at the water stations, kit storage and at the end to give you your well earned medal.  Please show them your appreciation. I would also like to thank the 18 Army personnel who help us with so much of the set up on race weekend and of course my half marathon team for everything they have done in their spare time over the past 7 months.

We look forward to welcoming you all to Fleet on Sunday and hope that you have a great run and come back to see us again in 2011. 

Good luck to you all!

Penny Abbott

Race Director

Fleet Half Marathon