I was in Germany for something of a family event, running the Cologne Half with my brother and his oldest son who, having just turned 18 in August, is running his first half marathon at pretty much the first available opportunity.
The city plays host to Half and full Marathon events on the same day with over 12000 other competitors in our race alone, and with the exception of an underpass which the road passes through twice, the course is perfectly flat with masses of PB potential.
With the logistics of managing so many runners, some problems are inevitable (more on that later) and what began as a jog slowed to walking pace after about 400m meaning I was a minute outside my target after the first kilometre. Luckily the race was marked out in kilometres, and even without a gps watch I was able to manage my pace to make up for the slow first kilometre over the rest of the course.
With no hills or wind to slow me down, I managed a dream performance, negative splits all the way and crossed the line to enjoy the kind of post race hospitality that deserves it’s own report (plentiful supplies of water, fruit juice, energy drinks, cola, bananas, nuts, dried fruit, Haribo, Mars Bars, Bountys and of course being in Cologne, sausages and ‘Alkohol Frei Kolsch’!)
Overall the event the was very good (benefits including well discounted running gear at the pre race expo, free travel tickets for competitors and their families, well stocked refreshment stations, lots of crowds gathered on the street and a free drink at the post race party). The only thing marring my experience was that I was unlucky enough to be one of the few runners who’s drop off bag got lost. However, like the nutrient rich, alcohol free beer they were handing out after the finish line, I’m not bitter, especially as I smashed my PB, ate and drank the entry fee in free food and the bag was full of cheap clothes anyway.
The race was won by Melaku Belachew of Ethiopia in 01:03:24.
I placed 99th in my age group, 754th overall in a time of 01:37:49 (PB).
