pickupthepacepaul

It’s the start of Limassol Marathon Race weekend, and as usual I’ve started it with the Saturday warm up races. I come here for the Marathon, but there is something for everyone, and the Saturday starts with the Corporate 5K and the kids races.

I have been to Limassol Marathon weekend 3 times. This is the second time I’ve ran the 5K and 3rd time my kids have ran the kids race. Check out last years recap HERE. Over marathon weekend the Saturday is much busier, with 10,000 people taking part in the 5k. Its unlike normal 5k races, although its timed it is very relaxed, and full of teams on a day out rather than a run. Its definitely worth taking part but not one for a quick run, unless you get to the front.

As always I laid out my kit the night before, after a long but lovely day. It also ended with a lovely pre meet with the Pacers for a meal, but more about that in my Marathon Blog to follow.

It was an early start, having to leave at 07:30 to beat the road closures, for a 09:00 start. The weather was absolutely beautiful, and it was great to see lots of familiar faces. Last year I seemed to miss many of the photos as I was running around after my kids, and ensuring everything was right for the Sunday races. This year Jonathan had a surprise to make sure that didn’t happen again.

I was going to run with both the kids and pram to let Kirsty have a better race. As we approached the busy start she said for me to take Benjamin and she would run with Amelie in the pram.

It was a really busy and congested start. As I’ve said, this race has about 10,000 people take part and it takes the first few minutes zig zagging around to get anywhere.

It is however a beautiful setting and nice little warm up for race day. I had fun with Benjamin who ran perhaps 500 metres of the 5k race, the rest of it I carried him on my shoulders.

As it’s an out and back course we saw Kirsty and Amelie, and we had a few races with other runners (like Liz) who didn’t want to be beaten by us. Kirsty had a lovely run in the sun with Amelie.

We finished in just over 31 minutes and collected our first medal of the weekend.

The finish line was much busier this year with more sponsors and Erdinger.

We then had a quick break before it was time to get ready for the kids race at 11:00. We swapped over and I had Amelie for this race.

Kirsty and Benjamin ran well and Amelie insisted on being carried for most of the 500 metres. Although she did allow me to put her down for the finish.

Overall a lovely day. The weather was beautiful and the kids had a great time collecting 2 medals each.

1 family and 6 medals, a great start to the weekend. Can’t wait for the pasta party tonight and the Marathon in the morning.