Dave finishing the Shakespeare Marathon 2003

Dave giving his cheesy smile at the 26ml marker

Dave Katie Tony handing in baggage prior to races

Dieter just after finishing Shakespeare Half

Miles at the 384 yd mark

Richard at the finish line

Richard receiving his Shakespeare Marathon medal

Pictures by Tony Sheridan
Miles Cudmore reports:

A half dozen Windle Valley runners travelled up to Stratford Upon Avon for the 21^st Shakespeare Marathon and Half Marathon.  This popular and wonderfully organised event attracted over 2000 entries, about a quarter of whom did the marathon. 

A breezy, wet morning gave way to sunshine and clouds by the 1pm start.  One loop of the town centre brought loads of support, before we headed into countryside. The course was one lap for the half, and an elongated second lap for the full.  Oh how flat the Midlands appear from the M40, their level plains stretching for mile after mile.  A lie, we say, a lie !  The first section was undulating, but at least the steepest bit at Rummer Hill (mile 8) was a descent (14%).  More taxing was the strong Southerly headwind,  which became a welcome tailwind on the flat run North back to Stratford along an old railway line. 

At mile 12, the marathoner’s split off…fewer runners to break the wind this time, and Rummer Hill was renamed in a few people’s mind’s at mile 18.  But the tough bit was a never-ending 5 mile run up the Greenway, with the sun baking down and the tailwind helping progress, but providing little cooling.  Into Stratford, and one mile to go … an unwelcome uphill dogleg, and then back down to the river for what must be one of the best “run ins” in the country.  River, swans, weir, church, theatre, pleasant lawns, bandstands, encouraging crowds …. England at its best …. and eventually the finish ! 

Great race, and some great Windle runs.  Katie completed a fantastic half, and Tony was pleased to take yet more time off this year’s best.  David did really well to beat his four hour goal on a hard day.  Miles just missed the 3:15 barrier and ended up in the medic’s tent, but was fine later.  Richard Gurd did brilliantly to complete a second marathon just 2 weeks after London.  Congratulations all !!