Copenhagen Marathon (May 2005).
It seemed such a good idea at the Mudlarks Xmas party (as these things so often do). We could stay at fellow-runner John Cockram's cottage hidden away in the Swedish countryside, from where it is only a short trip across the new bridge to Copenhagen, and we could run the marathon there in May (a comfortably long time away then). Only Alec and I actually took the suggestion up - Chris Potter was keen, but could only come as a spectator, as he was still injured from the London.
 |
John's Swedish cottage 'The Old Telegraph House' (not the log cabin in the woods we might have been expecting). |
Back view with proud owner. |
We flew out on Thursday from Heathrow
(not so cheap as Stanstead, but a lot more convenient to get to).
We put our gear in backpacks, as we had to hike across Copenhagen to the Expo,
to pay our entry fees and collect our numbers
(amazingly, we were able to enter
online, but didn't have to pay until we got there).
Why do they need a pitchfork in the new shower? |
Then on to the efficient Scandinavian railway to Sweden,
to meet up with John, for the drive to his cottage in Hedvigsdal.
He is still in the process of renovations there, so we put our DIY skills to good use
|
The penalty for being the tallest of us. |
Pre-Marathon
We had time to explore, and investigate some local attractions. The church on the crossroads at Valleberga, is a landmark visible for miles.
Very useful, as it was by our nearest bus-stop.
Valleberga church |
|
||||
 |
John drove us to the south coast, to see the standing stones of the viking ship burial at Ales Stenar (can't get a proper view without a helicopter) |
Marathon day
We decided to take the train back to Copenhagen on marathon Sunday, to avoid parking problems in the city. Unfortunately there was no departure from the local station early enough, so this meant a very early start (6am, which is really 5am due to the hour change). The 4 of us squeezed into John's little old Peugeot for the drive up to Malmo station, to take the train across the bridge to Copenhagen. The 20 minute walk from the station to the start provided a gentle warm-up. It was great having John and Chris there as our support team, for bag-carrying, photographs, encouragement….
The weather seemed promising - sunshine and light showers. But just as we lined up for the start, an ominous black line swept rapidly across the sky from the horizon, and a torrential hail-storm soaked everyone. Vest and shorts were completely inadequate, but it was too late to change, and we all hid under our plastic bin-liners. Lucky Alec found a generous spectator who shared his umbrella. Another big bang - more thunder? - no, that was the start gun, and we were off, plastic flying everywhere.
The rain soon eased off, and it rapidly got warmer and more humid. We were both carried along too fast for the first 10k, despite the good intentions of the balloon-carrying pacemakers.
| Completing the first loop after about 10 miles (making sure to smile for Chris's camera), we headed back past the start on to the loop westwards, round the Carlsberg brewery - couldn't find any free samples at the drinks station. Half way point, and there were some definite inclines here - especially over the railway and back again. Round past the start again, for a repeat of most of the first loop - only much harder and much slower this time. The legs didn't appreciate having to get back into action again after a loo-stop at about 35k (taking much longer than a certain elite runner in the London!), and the last 7k seemed to take forever. |
Finished at last. |
There was plenty of crowd support, with music and Caribbean dancing, but most runners seemed to take the event very seriously, with hardly any fancy-dress, and not much chatting en-route, even though everyone spoke excellent English. Not much non-Scandinavian interest - we only saw a couple of other Brits and Germans.
|
Most of the route was flat(-ish), but it was not fast or easy. Many twists and turns, and "corners, kerbs and cobbles" prevented the 'auto-pilot' stride rhythm so needed in a marathon. The scenery was pleasant, with parks and lakes, as well as the river, but I missed seeing the 'Little Mermaid' both times round, having my eyes glued to my feet on the cobbles. The last 2k was along the riverside, to finish by the 'Black Diamond' - their large leaning slab-sided new national library (I don't really appreciate this modern design!). |
I crossed the line, got my medal and rose (for the ladies), then started my post-race asthma-type wheezing. They wheeled me into the Red-X tent, though I knew it would ease up after a few minutes. But then I seized up with cramp every time I tried to stand up again. After some welcome remedial massage, I managed to roll on to my knees and stagger out to the refreshment area. But no sign of Alec - he must have finished by now. He had, but was looking for me in the Red-X tent, as Chris saw me go in there. Eventually we met up, and were just sitting down for some refreshment when Alec's name came over the Tannoy - he'd got 1st M70 prize. He leapt up (well, almost) and hobbled back to the prize-giving tent for his award. Just as we were relaxing again, a nearby group of celebrating Danes lost control of their champagne corks, and nearly KO'd Alec - twice! (and they never even offered him a glass).
Post-Marathon
 |
Back at the cottage we relaxed with some of John's excellent cooking. Chris had to return home, but we stayed on for a few days more. |
Alec testing his legs. |
Then the Peugeot's gear box gave up the struggle after all the extra stress we had put it through - a helpful neighbour investigated, but a new part had to be ordered. I borrowed John's old continental-style bike to get some essentials at the local shop.
|
Then another helpful neighbour, having heard we were without transport, generously offered Alec his bike. So we felt obliged to ride down to the coast - only about 10k, but a long way on strange bikes and tired legs. However, it probably did us good to stretch our legs a bit. |
The well-groomed beach pool at Loderups Strandbad |
The gear-box still hadn't been fixed when it was time to go home, so an improvisation was devised, using some spare plastic rose-ties from the garden to hold it together. Despite concern that they might melt, they got us to the station, where we said farewell and thanks to John, and headed home.
Our marathon results:
| Rosemarie: | 3:54:33 | 7th F55 (out of 34) | Position 1859 | |
| Alec: | 4:24:11 | 1st M70 (out of 6) | Position 3098 | |
| Total finishers 4066 |
Return to home page.