Having done this event a few times before, I particularly wanted to run it this time being twenty-five years after my first race of the new century.
Back then it was convenient to have a race in Hyde Park as it wasn't far from a Millenium party the night before leaving just a short walk to the start!
The weather had never postponed the event before to my knowledge and it was put back twice this year. Glad it went ahead and that the Serpies could still pull it off. Years in the past the course was pretty much simply three triangular laps in Hyde Park. With the winter wonderland event, the course needed to be moved and the new route through Kensington Gardens is more interesting although with quite a few twists and turns!
So to the race, I decided to stick initially to the 60 min group pacers as I didn't feel warmed up at all in the sub zero temperatures. After about 3k going down the Broad Walk I was able to pick it up a bit after going past a water station and the 2nd loop in Kensington Gardens felt better than the first - perhaps I had finally warmed up!! I caught sight of a couple of hoopsters which encouraged me to keep going and once I was under the Serpentine Bridge it was only one km to go - though we had to run away from the finish before the welcome 180 degree turn into the home straight and a mini sprint to the end. Whilst it maybe a quarter of a century since my last PB, it was still enjoyable this time even if it was more like shuffling round rather than running. NYD 2050 anyone?
