This was a run I had been looking forward to. Not because it was a dream race or I was going for a PB. No, I was looking forward to it because I was going to run with my brother to pace our sister to finishing her first half marathon. I’ve always enjoyed marshalling events so being a roving aid station was right up my alley.
We set off cautiously, knowing this distance was twice as far as Ez had ever run with God knows how much more elevation – I guessed pretty much all of it. We didn’t want any mistakes today as they’d be our fault.
Running out through town and to the start of the Ecclesall Road South climb was uneventful. The typical crowds lined the streets and we sat into a nice pace. Connor’s friends from Run Happy cheered us on as we passed Marmaduke’s. On and on the road climbs, and at the diverging point we could see the first runners coming back at blistering pace. We put all thoughts of speed out of our mind and spirits stayed high as we made the long slog up to the Norfolk Arms. Here the clag descended, and the atmosphere took on a eerie vibe. This didn’t last long as the cheery voice of Sam came out of the gloom offering us Haribo.
These fuelled us along the undulation of Sheep Hill to begin the long descent back to Sheffield. We began to overtake a couple of people and Ez looked strong. The Scooby Doo came thundering past with a donation bucket blaring tunes, it was all very jarring. We stuck to our agreed pace and returned to Ecclesall Road without much issue.
The last few hundred metres were emotional. She had done it.