So having decided to run a few new races this year I thought I’d enter the Heron half and I’m pleased I did. After seeing the weather forecast earlier in the week I wasn’t looking forward to getting wet but luckily the rain held off for me to run in the dry and it was surprisingly warmer than I first thought it would be.

It’s a reasonably flat course starting and finishing at the athletics track at Yeovilton with the Marathon runners setting off at 9, the half starts an hour later at 10. I arrived in plenty of time although not as early as some and found Jenny who’d decided to sign up at the last minute also bumped into a few other people we knew.

After Jenny had purchased a new running belt we headed over to the start and set off, having decided to do our own thing, I’d decided to treat the run as part of my training for Berlin so wasn’t looking to chase a PB so after the first mile or so Jenny ran on and I continue at my own pace. It was lovely to see Nick and Eve marshalling always great to see a friendly face. We headed around Podymore on the normal 5k route and then took a right turn on the main road before turning left and off into the lanes again, to be honest I had no idea where we were going and luckily I had plenty of people to follow!

There were lots of marshalls to help with the road crossings and the drinks/aid stations were very well stocked with goodies and the helpers were great handing out sweets and water.

It was starting to get warm and I’d regretted wearing my t-shirt under my vest so I carried the bottle of water with me and kept sipping it to keep myself hydrated, we eventually found ourselves in Ilchester and running through the village before heading back towards Yeovilton and then retracing our steps on the 5k route to see Nick and Eve again before heading back onto the new 5k route and then twisting around some the lanes again before coming back onto the main road and then the main drag to the finish line with a little run around the field first and then back onto the athletics track

A lovely t-shirt, medal and goodie bag waiting for us at the end. A very well run and marshalled event. One I’ll definitely run again in the future.