Richmond Marathon Sunday 15 September 2024
Logistics
I thought long and hard regarding doing the Richmond marathon. Living 86 miles away on the south coast, the main problem was the 8am start time on a Sunday. It was impossible to get there in time using public transport. Going by car I had issues with ULEZ charge and parking and possible cramp which I factor in after a marathon hindering my use of the clutch driving home. Travelling up on the Saturday meant an expensive overnight stay in a hotel and issues with food as I can only eat Gluten-Free. However, in April, I decided a new car would be a good idea, which solved the ULEZ problem and being an automatic, any issues with defective legs after the race. So far so good.
As the day approached I researched car parking near to the finish, with the intention of travelling by tube from Richmond to the start at Kew Gardens. The NCP wanted an unjustifiable £24. A favourable car park at £8 didn’t open until after the start. So I ended up using JustPark and found a private space near to Richmond Station for £15.50 for 12 hours, of which the company that owns it at their offices (Cobden House, Park Lane TW9 2RA) donates the money to charity which is reasonable. Still expensive, but more secure with CCTV, lighting and parking for just 3 cars. It is also very close to the finish so only a short walk.
This marathon is organised by RunFest and has a no headphone rule which is apparently enforced, presumably no official timed finish and no medal or t-shirt at the end. However "bone conducting" headphones are allowed. Before the day I received helpful detailed instructions which included the notification that the District Line tube would be closed on the day! Will this ever end? So I needed to research buses to get me to Kew Gardens. From Richmond Station a Bus 65 takes me to the Mortlake Road bus stop with a short walk to the only entrance for the event a Elizabeth Gate off Kew Green (Road) The gate closes at 7:40am and the entry to the wave pens close at 7:50am with "no runners allowed to start" if you are late!
So I set off at 4am on the day having found out the day before that the A27 was being closed both ways all weekend and had caused huge delays. I left and ended up going through Havant at 4:30am forced to do a 20mph speed limit! SatNav tried to take me to M25 so I ignored it and went to Richmond again encountering these ridiculous 20mph zones some even with speed humps. I got to my space fairly easily at 6:20am and found it empty, so could choose the best space (under the tree). Then the short walk to the bus stop for the 65 bus.
I had been suffering from a shin/calf/ankle injury since February which had impacted my training for both Richmond and the earlier Race to the King 50km in June. Thankfully, whilst still being able to run, albeit less often and not as far, it appeared the pain had disappeared completely by mid August. I am putting this down to using Salt Stick electrolyte tablets during my longer training runs. I managed to get my VO2Max to 48 from a low of 44 in February 24 and was hopeful of hitting my marathon bucket-list target time of 4 hours 30 minutes.
Last September (2023) the Richmond Marathon was "cancelled" as they ran out of water as it was "run in a heat wave" https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a45139442/richmond-runfest-marathon-canceled/
Runners were advised to stop and walk to the finish or stop at half marathon distance. I couldn’t take any chances so I had to run with my Camelbak and 1.5Litres of water weighing 1.5kg. It appears the water stations only have plastic cups and limit runners to just two per station. (Just 300ml per 2.5miles.) Re filling my Camelbak will likely cost me about 5 minutes! My water plan was to always have the cups of water and to deplete the Camelbak first, knowing my 500ml water bottle would be the backup which I could top up if required.
So we made it along the wet grass down towards the start. I’d met a chap called Jason at the bus stop and he was doing his first marathon also hoping for around 4 hours 30 minutes so I thought I would try to keep pace with him and help each other. As always, everyone sets off far too fast and we were running near 8-minute miles for the first mile and a half, not what I am used to. I walked a bit so I could take a gel then broke off for a pee in the trees as quite a few male runners were and it seemed a good idea, making use of the cover as we ran through and around Kew Gardens. I soon realised that I would never keep pace with Jason and just tried to keep my own split targets.
I found it strangely harder going, considering I had done the 31-mile "Race to the King" and the Brighton Marathon earlier in the year. At mile 10 whilst on time for the split, I was struggling and after half way mile 13, I was really finding it hard. The cause? Carrying 2 Litres of water (2kg)? Taking a Zoplicline sleeping pill the night before? Bit of a chesty bug, (my Vo2max was lower) Suspected tummy bug? Cyclists weaving in and out? Hotter day than expected? All of the above?
I’ve had reports that it can get a bit congested along the Thames river paths. With each wave starting at the same time, although the slower runners being at the back, I had hoped that after a mile or so the faster runners will have bolted (they always do) leaving me with free space in front as I will be in the middle, 4hrs 30 minutes wave. But in fact it was not runners, or at least those running the event that were the problem but locals. Most annoying and dangerous were the cyclists. I couldn’t believe that the path by the river wasn’t given over to marathon runners only, at least until 1pm. Failing that, at the very least cyclists should not be allowed on marathon day, as many were speeding at 30mph towards us runners. I am grateful in the end, that I was not injured by one of these selfish, exhibitionist lunatics in yellow lycra tops and a silly hat! Even more incomprehensible were the recreational runners, also bombing along the path at midday, presumably trying to bang out a PB 5K before an afternoon beer by the river or was it just showing off. Why? Surely for just one Sunday a year they could find their running and riding fixes in the spacious Richmond Park?
Whilst running the river bank I noticed that many runners were running an out and back on the other side. I assumed it was the half marathon route but later shocked to discover that I had this to come. I think it was in that section that started to put doubts in my mind as to whether I could even complete the actual marathon. I wasn’t suffering from cramp or injury. I was just plain shattered. It was warmer than I like but not hot. Neither gels nor carb bars gave me a boost. Approaching Hampton Court Palace I saw a medic attending to a man around 35 who had collapsed and was being given oxygen.
The rest of the marathon with about 8 miles to go was a series of run/walks, about a quarter of a mile run and a 5-minute walk. I was very pleased to get encouragement from the marshals as the finish got nearer and the mile markers 23m, 24m then 25m. Come on, I can do this! Through a gap in a wall turn right and now on grass with the sound of a band and PA system, I could see the finish. Can’t stop now it would ruin my photos, so I kept going, waving to the crowd that lined the finish and smiling at the cameras. Done it. Not a brilliant time, in fact my slowest marathon by 6 minutes but close to my others. A nice medal and a "well done Phil" and then on to collect a really nice t-shirt and a bonus training t- shirt too. The photographs were good value at £33.70 for 45 photos.
After collecting my drop bag, I sat down at a fence on the grass, not knowing if I could get up again and had a rest. I knew I had to head for a bridge over the road and followed many others over the bridge. Down a path and then hey I know this, there’s my car! Only one other car parked in the car park and that was in the wrong space so they will be getting a fine.
Would I run Richmond again? It is a lovely route but nothing is closed for runners and the locals are very inconsiderate. It is clear to me that sooner or later someone will be injured be it a runner in a half or marathon or a member of the public out for a walk by one of these cyclists. I gave feedback to the organisers Runfest and suggested the path be closed or at least cyclists be asked to avoid using it for the day. Their reply confirmed they hadn’t even asked the council!
I wanted to run a marathon in the autumn so all the training would be in the summer months. As it worked out, due to my leg injury, consistent training wasn’t possible. Factor in the early start, the minimum 2-hour drive each way and car parking costs it would not be top of my list to run again. But I am pleased I’ve done it. It was very well organised, everyone was very helpful, welcoming and friendly. Richmond is a lovely place, spoiled by those noisy planes, flying just above your head as the come into land at Heathrow. You can almost see the people looking out of the windows!