Central Group Mini Marathon – Race Review

Arrived to the race venue (CentralWorld) almost an hour before the start. Remembered from last year that the registration and bib number collection was overcrowded. This year’s race was sold out (4,000 sign-ups), still I had no problems whatsoever to get my number and then drop my bag off. So far so good.

15 minutes before race start, I was just about to push my way through to the starting line when the crowed turned around. You had to get your bib marked before you could go to the start again. I got stuck way back in the masses and before I knew it, the race started and the guys in front took off. It took me a minute to cross the starting line and almost another minute before I could begin to actually run.

The chase was on. I wanted contact with the leading group early in the race without blowing myself up. Kept 3.10-15/km pace, caught the leaders up before the 4k mark and got up front. My legs felt the initial tough pace but I made sure not to slow down while the others still had me within reach.

Was struggling to keep the pace after 5-6k, the kilometer splits went up to 3.20-3.25. I had some energy left in the tank when I passed the “1 km to go sign” though, so I could finish strong. My official finish time was 33.57, my own watch gave me an average pace of 3.18/k and could defend my title from last year. All results.

In summary, the event had probably more participants than the organizer could handle, making the start a mess and leaving some finishers without medals. It was also uncertainty the days before the event whether it was sold out or not. A clear announcement from the organizer would have been desirable. On the more positive side, the route was clearly marked and there were water stations every other kilometer as expected. Generous prizes were handed out to the top-finishers in each age group, including hotel vouchers, shoes, scales, juice etc. The usual selection of post race snacks and drinks were also available.