17/11/2019
On a crisp November morning (read 17 degrees), that started at 4.30am with woolly hats and hot coffee, the 3C boys and girls were out in force again at the Abu Dhabi Striders Half Marathon and 10k.
Accompanied by the best race conditions this report writer has seen in Abu Dhabi, the half marathon event kicked-off right on time at 6.33am. Chief srutineer for the day, on a temporary injury lay off, PAul Faulkner (PAF) ushered Liam Bek (Bek), Richard Palmer (RP), Paddy Harrington (Paddington), Simon Wright (SW) and the female contingent of Nearida Clark, Helen Currie and Sarah Wright to the start line.
The new faster, flatter course treated us well with Bek coming in 4th Overall (behind, amongst others, the indomitable JC) and 1st Master to get his 3rd fastest ever Half in a time of 1.16.11. Taking second step on the Masters podium was Paddy in 1.25.10. RP came in close to his PB with a fantastic time of 1.27.34 in his final race as a UAE resident (😢), with SW hot on his heels in 1.27.43 with the standout performance of the morning to bag a 2mins PB (🥳).
Representing the females of the HM team, Nez and Sarah both smashed their targets with a 1.41 and a 2.03 respectively. Kudos to them! Unfortunately Helen was not feeling it on the day and dropped out. But we all know she’ll be back - stronger than ever!
In the 10k race, Rebecca (DMP) Faulkner narrowly missed out on victory coming off the worst in a 3(C)-way sprint for 1st in a mighty time of 44.45, to bag 3rd Overall, 2nd Master, and only 5s off 1st!! Ooof!
Podiums galore and brekkie at Yas Waterworld rounded out another outstanding morning for Team 3C. The afternoon also proved noteworthy 😎
Watch this space for more tantalising tales of endeavour from Oman UTMB and Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon in the coming weeks!
Thanks as always to Steve Watson and the gang at Gulf Multisports and the Abu Dhabi Striders. Cheers!