RE: Toulouse Marathon

David  - Bonjour from France.

OK, so I'm not technically a member anymore since I left the UK in January but just wanted you to know that I flew the flag for NHRR on Sunday in the Toulouse marathon. My club vest raised a few comments so the club's fame is spreading !

After running London in 2007 I said "never again" but I felt sure I had a better time in me and so it proved. I ran 4:12, 25 mins faster than London.

The race begins and ends in the centre of Toulouse and skirts around the suburbs to the West and North of the city. Support on the course was sporadic but the welcome in the city square at the end was electric. There were around 5,000 runners, including relay runners, and one nutter on stilts ! That's got to hurt. There were good refreshment stops throughout with bananas, oranges, energy bars and sugar lumps. If I had a criticism it would be that the stewards were functional only and offered very little in the way of support.

It was harder training for this one without club support and having to cope with the heat of the summer months. But this was good practice as even though its late October it was remarkably hot on sunday. At 35k, I finally remembered why I had said "never again" !

Not saying "never again" this time but I'm glad to be able to throw the running shoes into a dark corner for a while !

Best wishes to all,