pickupthepacepaul

On 14 April 2024, I finally returned to run the Limassol Marathon. Limassol may not have the biggest marathon, but it has become one of my families favourite destinations for a lovely holiday and run. We first travelled to Limassol in 2017 so I could run the marathon, then I returned for Limassol Marathon 2018 and Limassol Marathon 2019 to lead the pace team. I would have continued, but covid and subsequent date clashes meant that we didn’t return until 2024. Limassol Marathon 2024 was my 4th time running Limassol, my 152nd Marathon (plus), and the 112th event as an official pacer (49th Marathons as a pacer).

The Limassol Marathon changed its date from mid-March to mid-April, which means the conditions for running were much more difficult this year, with unexpected heat reaching 26⁰c on race day. Although the beautiful weather did enhance the holiday. The organisers also did a fantastic job to keep runners hydrated.

We arrived late on Thursday night and stayed until late Sunday evening, both maximising our holiday and returning in time for our kids to not miss school. We had a decent hotel relatively close to the start but affordable. We spent most of our time between our hotel and Molos (Limassol Marina).

We also had friends who travelled to Limassol for the Half Marathon and 10k, which was a pleasure to spend time with them.

Corporate 5km

On Saturday, at 09:00, there is a Corporate 5km which we were able to get entry to. This is not an event for a PB. It is very much a fun run. With almost 10,000 people taking part, it is the busiest day of the weekend. There is a wave start to make some space between runners, but with so many runners doing their own thing, it doesn’t help much. So if you want to go for a time you need to get in front.

There are big teams of runners walking together across the whole road, children on scooters and skates, dogs on leads, people walking with a coffee. Then there was me and my family. Amelie and Kirsty ran together, and I ran with Benjamin, Tommy, and Jonathon.

We spent the first 2 km trying to get some space to run, and we found space afterwards. Benjamin got so hot and uncomfortable that we slowed down and had a couple of walking breaks. We finished in just over 30 minutes and collected our water and medal.

Kids Race

Between the Corporate Race and Kids race, we went for ice cream. We had reminded our children about the platter we had at haagendazs, but with it being so many years they could not really remember. We had just enough time to have our ice cream before heading back at 11:30 for the kids’ race.

The kids’ race is 1.2k, and it is free. We hadn’t signed Benjamin up because we were doing the 5k, but at the registration, he asked about it, and we were able to register him the day before for free.

He had a good little run and was knackered afterwards. We went back for some swimming before heading back to our hotel to get ready for the pasta party.

Pasta Party

Limassol Marathon always has a pasta party on Saturday, and it is great quality. It is held at the registration venue. It has more space and is a nice venue, but to be honest, I preferred it in previous years when they could have it at the Marina. This is mostly as the Marina is my favourite place in Limassol, but also it’s just easier to get to. However, we get free travel for 4 days during marathon weekend and the number 30 bus is just 15 minutes away.

I really enjoyed the pasta this year, and the kids eat for free, which is good value for money if you have kids.

We also used the pasta party as an opportunity for the pacers to meet and collect our flags.

When I got home I got my kit together, and we had a relaxed night. We watched a film and had an early night ready for the early start in the morning.

Limassol Marathon

With potential warm temperatures (this year, especially with the April date), the race starts early. The Marathon started at 07:30, followed by the Half Marathon, 10k, and another 5k. We arranged for the pacers to meet at 06:30 so we could get organised and get to the start pens early.

I made my way to the start, and there were a lot of runners who came to run with me. There were over 800 Marathon runners and even more for the Half Marathon and other events. I had many first-time marathoners and only 1 who had run Limassol before.

We started just after 07:30, and the sun was already out, and it was hot. The course follows the number 30 bus route. Starting on the parade, we turn left onto the main road and run past the registration / pasta party, then we make our way past the mall. This section is fairly quiet, and there isn’t much scenery, but it is pancake flat.

I was hot straight away, but water was given out in 500 ml bottles every 2.5k. We had a good group of runners, and we chatted all the way around.

After about 20k, we returned to the main strip alongside the sea. Here, we followed the route of the half marathon (we have a slight extension). As we passed, we could see half marathoners finishing. At half way, a number of my group were starting to struggle. We followed along the main road with a sea view for the whole second half of the marathon. Things were feeling pretty comfortable until about 27k when a gradual incline began. It isn’t a big hill, but after 28k in the heat, it was challenging.

I managed to keep us on pace during this long climb, which dips the inclines again before the turn. On the way back, I was encouraging people just to get beyond the last incline at around 36k as it was flat all the way to the finish. I lost a lot of runners at this point, and then one of my group stumbled to the ground from exhaustion. I told everyone to keep running and stopped briefly to try and help. I was there only a short time before first aid arrived, so I ran off to join my group. Unfortunately, my own exhaustion hit me just after this, and my legs were not going to let me catch up with the group. I made it to about 37-38k on pace, but then I wasn’t going fast enough to achieve 4 hours without really pushing myself in the heat, and it wasn’t the right thing to do.

I had done enough at this point, and a lot of runners had already picked up the pace and thanked me for getting them that far. I was able to support a few other runners who had fallen off the pace and get them moving again. I was able to keep going, but when I knew I was off target, I had no reason to push harder, so I eased off for the last 4k.

The last few kilometres felt like they were lasting forever. I kept going, and it was great to see my family at the finish. In the final kilometre, I joined another runner who had fallen off pace and caught me up. I explained I was not on pace, and he was just happy to be completing his first mararhon. He started with me and was going to finish with me, so we continued together.

I was pleased to reach the finish and see that so many who started with me had achieved their goal. I finished a few minutes after Target, but that’s not the whole story, and I had a great experience. It was a little hot and sunburnt, but it was great.

After the event, I went to the changing tent to get ready. I then made my way to the after-party. This takes place in the Marina from 12:00 until late. We stayed for a few hours before going to enjoy the beach and needing to go to the airport.

We had a lovely time in Limassol, and it was sad to leave on Sunday, but we wanted to get back in time for school on Monday.