Coventry Half-marathon, 19th April 2026
With the city celebrating their football club’s promotion to the Premier League after an absence of 25vears, it must have been a good weekend to be in Coventry! Rose Hawkswood was there, but her focus was on running the half-marathon.
Perhaps over-celebration by the volunteers could go some way to explaining how the course ended up being long – with runners having to run an extra 512 metres. The organisers acknowledged the error and corrected the times to reflect a true half-marathon distance:
“Whilst we don’t wish to take away from those achievements, we need to acknowledge that today’s Half marathon route was longer than 13.1 miles … Our initial investigation shows that the turning point was positioned incorrectly with it being 256m out, which has resulted in the route therefore being 512m long overall. We have worked with our timing company to have all half marathon runners’ results updated to provide a 13.1mile finish time”
Rose sends us this report:
“Coventry half marathon came at the right time for the city, the vibes were high with a return to the premiership and the suns was out. Myself, Steve and Aunty Monica (pictured) were all signed up for the half, but after a hot half in Palma two weeks ago Monica dropped to the 10k. Allowed for her carb loading to be a little port the night before while I had FOMO going to bed early hearing the wine opening and gassing from the family gathered.
The race starts next to Cov uni and under the elephant building, goes a little about the city centre then heads under the infamous ring road to head north west out the city. Through the suburbs, then a few country lanes, a well lined village and back onto quiet country roads, all of this from the ring road to the 8.3 miles is mostly uphill. It felt a long slog (made longer!). I was very glad to have chatty runners about for company, it makes it so much easier. Turning onto tamworth road the downhill started, I assumed I was taking it steady with an 8.12 m/m pace.
The downhill was glorious after all the work in the first half, but the body was tired and feeling it. Running back towards the city the last 2.5 mile along some roads we left on was nice as you know you’re getting near the end. Approaching the ring road and I thought I had 1500m to go, I worked out with a bit of a shift on I’d be on or near 1.53 finish.
Passing the motor museum and then pool meadow bus station (highlights of the city) my watch was ticking over 21.2km. At the turn for the cathedrals (yes we got one spare too) which was the finish last year, I could see people still going into the distance and I was beyond raging. The route continued to the elephant building where the start/finish line was, so no surprises but very much not pleased. Turns out the out and back section went a little too far. Worst 521m of this year.
My initial finish time was 1.55.27, but has been updated to 1.52.41, 16 min faster than October 25, and 6 min faster than my pb from 2016. I’m pleased with my race, it’s a hard course for a half, so will not recommend it. The real highlight for me was me Ma’s family being in town, and my Aunty Ethna had made two giant jaffa cake cakes and a loaf of veda as treats.”
