Shetland Simmer Dim Half Marathon 2008

Finish
Shetland Half finish line

Sevenoaks AC provided two per cent of the finishers in this year's Shetland "Simmer Dim" Half Marathon on 22 June. For various reasons the revived event, last held in 1999, escaped being advertised beyond the local area. But it was on a schedule of events which fell out of The Shetland Times when I was there on holiday, so I thought I'd better represent the club, writes Simon Hallpike.

The "Simmer Dim" bit in the race title is a reference to the fact that it doesn't quite get dark at any time around midsummer, providing lovely long days. However although the Shetland Isles are beautiful and fascinating, the weather can get a bit wet and windy, even in midsummer. One good way to ensure such weather is to organise a long road race on an exposed course into the prevailing wind.

With an entry of 65 (limit 100) and 46 finishers, the main battle for competitors is against the course and conditions. After the first couple of miles, I exchanged places a couple of times with one other runner and otherwise I could have been the only participant. Some of the excellent and hardy marshalls suddenly appeared from shelter when I thought there was no other human for miles.

A feature that would be particularly unfamiliar to Kent-based athletes is the smooth, unblemished condition of the road surface. It was certainly a pleasure not to have to take care to avoid all the potholes. There were some long uphill slogs into the wind but also some nice sweeping downhills which were fun to run on the even surface. One of the longest of these was in the last three miles, which allows runners to recover for the final, flattish run-in.

One great benefit of the small number of competitors is that in 16th place I achieved my highest finish in an open race for 20 years, a PW 1:46 notwithstanding.

SAC runners suffering in the heat of summer road racing will no doubt be keen to consider this event for an away weekend next year (you can now fly direct from Stansted). The organiser, Paul Woods, is planning for Sunday 21st June 2009.

Full results, on Shetland AAC website, HERE.

Hallpike
Hallpike "sprints" to the finish