After a few years without running marathons in UK and looking for a marathon to do at the start of my holidays break came across a couple of “double marathon” options on the 100 Marathon Club webpage. I had managed twice to do a marathon on Saturday and another one on Sunday. Doing it a third time didn’t seem enough of a challenge, but I found a series of marathons organized by the Phoenix Club on the first weekend of August, following a course along the Thames near Walton-on-Thames, with a reasonably priced hotel right by the start line.
The series consists of a marathon on Saturday morning, another in the afternoon, and a third on Sunday morning. After checking flight prices to Heathrow, which was the closest airport and avoided crossing London, I realized it was feasible to fly out on Friday and return early Sunday morning, allowing me to do a morning/afternoon double marathon: the Summer Marathon and the Night Phoenix Marathon. The idea of doing three marathons in just over 24 hours was tempting, but perhaps a challenge beyond my limits.
With flights, hotel, and registrations, I only had 84 kilometres ahead of me, just a week after struggling to finish the UTRSC Santa Cruz marathon in Portugal.
A few meters from the start line, with a flexible start time between 7:00 and 8:30 in the morning, I headed down to the starting tent a few minutes after 7:00, where several runners had already completed their first lap. It is 8 laps to cover the marathon distance.
Unlike other marathon races, there are no bib numbers; instead, runners have their number written on their hand or forearm. There is also a board with holes and numbers, where each runner can serve themselves drink at each lap. A clever way to save costs and avoid waste from cups and bottles, as seen in other races.
After a countdown to start my marathon, I begin the first lap, heading from the Weir Hotel to the right, roughly 2.6 kilometres upriver, before turning back to the starting point. The course consists of dirt paths, with frequent wooded areas and lovely views of the Thames. There are no major complications, except keeping an eye out for roots or stones in some areas.
I chose to start early, aiming to have more rest time between the morning marathon and the afternoon one, which also has a flexible start between 15:00 and 16:30, and have a more favourable temperature (18°C at the start).
Without pushing too hard, knowing this first marathon is just the tip of the iceberg, I complete each lap, replenishing fluids and gels at the tent. It is a pleasant course that allow runners to pass each other frequently, with more participants joining until the 8:30 start time cutoff. Some, though fewer, opting for the half marathon distance.
I manage to finish this first marathon without overexertion, clocking a net time of 4:25:08 and placing 22nd out of 47 finishers.
It is 11:30 in the morning. Wasting no time, I head back to my room, take a shower, and try to load up on carbs with several bars, two shakes, and a Lucozade. The hotel is a bit isolated, and I don’t have time for a heavy meal, as I plan to start the next marathon at 15:00. I could start later, but that might mean needing the headlamp for the final stretches of the race.
Right on time at 15:00, with seemingly fewer runners than in the morning, though some are repeating, we set off from the Weir Hotel, this time in the opposite direction from the morning’s course. Again, we face 8 laps, following the same route out and back. This time it is slightly more challenging, as we approach the village of Walton and must cross a short but steep bridge, as well as pass through the terraces of a couple of riverside pubs. And we have to run these crossings not 8, but 16 times in total.
The first three laps go well, but from that point on, the heat (23°C compared to the morning’s 18°C) and fatigue start to take their toll. After all, I have already run 60 kilometres.
The last two laps are more of a mental challenge than a physical one, as I occasionally feel warning signs of calf cramps. Taking it a bit easier, I carry on. Finally, I cross the finish line in 4:58:08, securing 5th place among the 10 finishers, without needing a headlamp.
Thus, I am pleased to have achieved a personal milestone by completing two marathons in a single day and managing to finish the second under 5 hours. I still wonder whether I should have signed up for the Sunday morning marathon, but with a flight at 7:00 AM, it isn’t feasible anymore.
These two marathons brought my total to 32 in UK. I thought it was enough for me, but after a few days, I haven’t ruled out returning. I miss these low-profile marathons with peaceful courses.
Next stop: Rio Boedo, back in Spain.
