Road 2 Recovery Half Marathon is set near Melton Mowbray and is in organised by Claire Lomas (MBE) to raise funds for the Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation (NSIF) who performing ground breaking research into spinal injuries and paralysis. Claire herself was left paralysed in 2007 after a horse riding accident. But that hasn’t stopped her from being the first and only paralysed person to walk the London Marathon with the aid of a robotic suit. She’s also gone on to complete the Greater Manchester marathon earlier this year, smashing her time in the London Marathon by completing it in 9 days. You can find more information about Claire and her charity work here https://www.claireschallenge.co.uk/

 The half marathon is now in its 3^rd year and is part of a mini running festival, with all proceeds going to the NSIF. The race itself starts and finishes at Eye & Kettleby fishing lakes (http://www.eyekettlebylakes.com/). There were 3 main race distances; half marathon, 10k and 5k with a 1 mile fun run for the children.

Onsite at the lakes, were; a registration tent, refreshments including hot and cold drinks, a hog roast, ice cream van and later in the day was a magician/childrens entertainer and live music. Oh and plenty of porta loos so although you had to queue as normal you weren’t queuing too long!!

 It was a little walk from the main area to the start, with both the half and 5k starting at the same point and time (10.30). The start itself was around one of the smaller fishing lakes and was started by Claire. 10k race started slightly further round the fishing lake at 10:40. Our route took us through the main site and out onto the country roads and from the outset it was an uphill climb through the villages of Great Dalby and Little Dalby. With a rather steep climb between miles 7 and 9. Total elevation for the whole course was 681 feet and I certainly felt it lol. The scenery though was beautiful and we were lucky to have great weather. The sun did come out and it started to get a little warm, but nothing like the Spalding half!! Apparently last year it was in the middle of a heat wave and as such they cut the run short to just 8 miles, glad I wasn’t running that year!

Course Elevation

The 5k joined us on our route and then peeled off back into the campsite/fishing lakes, by which point the front runners from the 10k caught up with us and joined us for just over a mile before looping back to the finish. Along the route were water points at miles 2, 4, 7 and 10 with gels given out at mile 7, which I thought personally was a little late especially considering the major climbs started at mile 7. The climb was hard work and a number of runners ended up walking at this point. The incline then levels out for just under a mile before then climbing further for another quarter of a mile. Once past this, it’s downhill till just past mile 12 where you enter back into the fishing lakes and there’s a not so lovely climb up around the site before you get to the finish line, where a medal, t-shirt, banana, water and a goody bag (which contained a wrist band, pen and keyring among other things) are dished out. It’s a chip timed course and a digital time display was at the finish. An announcer was also calling out runners names as they came over the finish line, which my son thought was brilliant and came rushing over when I’d done ‘did you hear mum, they called out your name!’.

 A physiotherapy business was at the finish and for a donation to the charity were giving sports massages to the finishers, which I have to say after the hills was greatly appreciated!!

Good Points

• Very well organised
• Great family atmosphere at the start/finish area with entertainment for the family
• Beautiful surroundings, the scenery was amazing
• Well marshalled course
• Plenty of water stops

Not so good Points

• Hard work, just not used to hills lol
• Bit depressing when the fast 10k guys ran past us
• Little expensive at just over £30 (but this is going to charity)
• Did I mention the hills ;-)

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this race (even with the hills). Eye and Kettlby lakes was a lovely setting for start and finish and it was quite a party atmosphere afterwards and it was very well organised. Another one to add to the list for next year!!