Newport Marathon, 28th April 2024

Tara Hipwood sends this report from south-east Wales:

“Some of you may be aware that the Newport Marathon has been a much-anticipated race for me. I had signed up last year but had to pull-out due to family commitments.

Since last year, the programme of races for the weekend has been extended to include not only a 10k and marathon, but also a half-marathon, with the marathon and half-marathon runners setting off at the same time and sharing much of the same course. With 7000 runners taking part across the three races, it was a relatively small event, but very well-organised.

Standing on a chilly riverfront at 9am I was questioning whether it was too cold for shorts and vest, but as we wound our way through the city and out past the Stadium to the Gwent Flats the sun came out and the running conditions were ideal! The marathon runners undertake two laps of the Flats, including an out and back that felt a lot longer than it looked on the route map! But with half-marathoners, wheelchair entrants, and faster marathoners coming through, there was always plenty going on and the views were fantastic!

The relatively small number of runners meant that even as the roads turned into country lanes, there was still plenty of room and while the supporters became few and far between, what they lacked in number, they made up for with enthusiasm.

I had a great race at a steady pace until 37km when I felt something suddenly go awry with one of my toes. I’ll spare you the details, but this cost me a few minutes to plaster everything up so I could carry on. However, I struggled to find my consistent pace again, and slowed a little in the final couple of kilometres.

Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the race and would recommend it to anyone looking for a nice flat marathon route, but without the crowds of the bigger races!”

Wl done Tara, finishing in a great time of 4:37:31!