| Two British Marathons Run in September Special to "Britannia" by Julian Critchlow
"The Poly" begins in Windsor Castle, residence of the Royal Family and transport to the start can be booked through the event organiser and is within easy reach of London. The New Forest marathon is held in one of the oldest of Britain's woodlands close to the south coast of England. Runners from all over the world travel to compete in this event and make a weekend of it in this most beautiful of holiday areas.
"The Poly" "The Poly" was first run in 1909 a year after the London Olympics. In fact it was the Polytechnic Harriers, the leading athletic club in Britain at the time, that was asked to organise the marathon event for the Olympics. That event began at Windsor Castle and finished at the White City Stadium in London. It was originally intended to measure 26 miles in distance, but it was extended by 385 yards to end in front of the royal box. As you may or may not recall, Dorando Pieti, the leader as he came into the stadium, found the additional yardage too much and required assistance to stagger over the line, only to be disqualified for being assisted and becoming one of the most famous "losers" ever. Black and white footage of the event has been seared into world memory. The Olympic marathom might have been a one-off had it not been for "Sporting Life", a well known newspaper, offering a magnificent trophy in hopes of establishing a marathon second in importance only to the Olympics. There hopes were realised and "The Poly" marathon was born. The trophy still exists. It stands four feet, nine inches high and is two feet wide and is topped by a solid silver figure of Pheidippedes - the original marathon runner. First run in 1909 and next in 1924, the distance for "The Poly" was established as the international standard (because of the importance of the Polytechnic Marathon). The route for the race has since varied from the original. Until 1932, the race ended at Stamford Bridge, London, where Chelsea Football Club play and then in 1933 it moved back to the White City Stadium, where the 1908 Olympic marathon had finished. From 1938 the race ended at the Polytechnic Stadium at Chiswick and it was on this course that Jim Peters broke the 2:20 barrier in 1953, followed by a succession of further world records in the next eleven years. By 1970, the Polytechnic Harriers and "The Poly" marathon were in decline. Traffic problems forced the event to restrict its course to the rural area around Windsor but it still remained one of the top "club marathons" in the country until 1988 when it stopped. Four years later, however, under new management and on a new course designed by Mark Critchlow ( the author's brother) and using the Windsor Castle - Polytechnic Stadium start and finish points, the event was revived and has grown in stature again. With strong fields of UK and overseas athletes it is now one of the popular autumn marathons for club runners. The 4 1/4 hour time limit keeping the event from being one of the mass-participation runs.* The course is flat and fast and runs in a northeasterly direction. As the prevailing winds in southern England are from the South West the potential for personal bests must be there. Several stretches are, however, on the Thames tow path and one or two tight corners may temporarily break ones running rythmn. The start-time of 9.15 may be early for some but should not cause the starting temperatures to be too cold. Transport can be obtained either from the finish area to the start or the back from the finish to Windsor.
The organiser is Barclays Bank Polytechnic Marathon. Interested runners can contact them at Sporting Chance, 20 Colwyn Close, Old Sterenage, Herts SAI 2AT. Entry fees (Non UK) £15. * For many the event is the high point of the season and this year one of South East England's more well known runner Ray "Rambo" Hoyle is set to use the Poly to join the "100" club. The event is thus assured of having a great atmosphere again this year.
The New Forest Marathon and Half Marathon The courses for the half-marathon and marathon are both non-repeating single laps and wind their way along shaded roads through some of England's most picturesque woodland. The courses are undulating with the hardest climbs at 11 miles in the half marathon and unfortunately at 24 miles in the marathon. Times are not fast in this event, but for those that enjoy a testing, attractive course there are few to beat it. Course records are 2:25.36, Hugh Jones in the marathon and 2:57.56 Mary Morgan women. Winning times in the half marathon tend to be approximately 68 minutes men and 81-85 minutes for the women.
Race Organiser: |
eptember sees the beginning of the UK distance road racing season and two of the south of England's most popular races, the historic "Poly" marathon - the event which established the distance of 26 miles 365 yards and the New Forest Marathon (half marathon as well).