No Panic in the Pandemic
Just Good Planning
Dan Owen at the start line in Salisbury
I ran my second Clarendon marathon last year (4 Oct 2020). My first time was five years previously on a stunningly beautiful blue-skied Sunday, awash with sunshine aplenty and warmth radiating from the lie of the land underfoot. This time round, the Clarendon Marathon was another stupendous, memorable event and for different reasons, it will stay as unforgettable as the first. I am now back in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, where I live, squinting at the burning sun on an 82-degree afternoon, a far cry from the incessant rain and glorious mud of last years travails….
I was over in the UK for a month to do my due diligence with care for an ageing parent near Salisbury and was jubilantly surprised when I realized that the Clarendon was due to go ahead the day before my return to the US East Coast. I did not hesitate to sign-up. Following the mandated procedures, I flew to London in the first week of September and spent 2 weeks in quarantine in London, running up and down stairs inside and exhausting possibilities for variation in the small patio outside. With a fortnight to go before the event, I completed the mandatory isolation and headed to Dorset to luxuriate in fresh air and get moving outside in the stupendous Indian summer days of late September.
Dan Owen leaving Salisbury. 2 miles done. 24 to go.
So, Sunday October 4th rolled around. The almost comically perfectly timed change in the weather had mobilised a few days earlier – the warm blue skies usurped by brooding dark clouds, whipping winds and slanting rain. But no expanse of cloud bank, rain, mud, or puddles you could swim across could possibly compete with the upbeat spirits. Arriving at Laverstock early, I was immediately reminded of the lingering impressions from the 2015 run – the searingly powerful community spirit from fellow runners and above all from the legion of absolutely wonderful volunteers. To be so high spirited in the hours of battling abysmal weather and to do all that was necessary to demonstrate that you can collectively pull off this event responsibly in safety and compliance with needed restrictions was a huge feat accomplished. I can’t thank them enough.
Dan Owen near King's Somborne. 16 miles done. 10 to go.
The marathon itself was one extended challenge, long periods trying to decide what was worse – slipping and sticking in the voluminous mud, or sliding and careening on the slippery chalk, or submerging for the umpteenth time in a puddle pretending to be a lake….but also punctuated by moments of bliss. I missed the edible offerings on the tables at the water stations, and soon got fed up with the goo gels I carried with me….so finding blackberry bushes replete with bulging blackberries, good for some nutrition and good for hydration, was manna from heaven. I foraged excitedly!
Running with food, collapsible cup, facemask, energy gels was no trouble at all.
Puddles near Broughton
Lots of mud
Choosing to wear white socks however was an invitation to some welcome ribbing from fellow runners and a decision that could use some reflection for future events! I arrived at the finish covered in mud, tired but exalted. And as with the staggered start, the protective-minded organization of the funnel finish was impeccable. Much to be missed by not being able to congregate and hang around and socialize, but the huge point the Clarendon made was that a COVID-sensitive risk-aware, responsibly organized event of this nature can be done and delivered with great success. Talk about demonstrating a radiant beacon of light in the midst of Storm Alex on the day and the continuing COVID storm around us……I am an Event Director for a Washington DC parkrun and making mental note ofthis was a really important takeaway.
Dan Owen crossing the River Test. 15 miles done, 11 to go.
Thanks to the organisers and the collective heroes of volunteers for a wonderful, unforgettable day.