On Sunday 1st August, I took part in the Dunoon Half Marathon, a race returning for its first iteration in 20 years. The race follows a simple coastal path out of Dunoon alongside the Firth of Clyde, looping round the town of Toward before heading back up the same way to the finish.
Whilst the sun was shining for the majority of the race, a strong wind greeted the runners for the first 6 miles. I initially struggled to get to grips with this and probably struggled a lot more than I should have to get going. Because of this, I was slightly under my goal time at the half way stage however I knew that as long as I could keep up a reasonably steady pace then I could make the time up on the way back to Dunoon with the wind behind me.
Feeling strong after 8 miles, I was able to kick on and pass a lot of people that had overtaken me on the way out, and my average KM time was tumbling down all the way to the finish. I crossed the line in 1.37.40, just over a minute above my PB which given the conditions I was pretty happy with.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable race. Very flat course and nice to run alongside the water. Hopefully I can return next year and, with a bit less of a breeze, I’d fancy my chances of taking a good bit off my PB here. A post-race bar, BBQ and ceilidh was also put on, unfortunately it was straight into the car to catch the ferry home for me.
200 runners took park, results below :
1st Male – Donald McPartlin (Garscube Harriers) – 1.16.31
1st Female – Gillian Palmer (Edinburgh) – 1.21.52
52nd – Scott Coulter (Maryhill Harriers)- 1.37.40
