This Is Guernsey

By Aaron Scoones

RUNNERS, be they serious or joggers looking to keep fit, are spoilt for events over the next few weeks. Guernsey’s summer festival of running features the RG Falla Quarter Marathon, the Sark 10-miler, the Race for Life, the GIAAC’s one-mile Vazon coast race and culminates with the annual Healthspan Half Marathon on Father’s Day, 17 June.

Alun Williams, secretary of the GIAAC and organiser of the Healthspan Half Marathon, is looking forward to a bumper few weeks.

‘We have already seen a quality 10k championships just a few weeks ago and a large attendance for our traditional seven mile Liberation Day race, but that’s only the beginning.

‘Next up is the R. G. Falla Quarter Marathon tomorrow. This ‘out and back’ course encourages fast times and is great for stamina training as so many runners try to compete the ‘back’ three miles in a faster time than the ‘out’ three miles.

‘Then we have the Sark 10 mile race, run over tracks and lanes in Sark and Little Sark. The punishing terrain makes for a demanding run but is an ideal preparation for the half marathon three weeks later.

‘The ladies have the additional bonus of the Cancer Research Race for Life and we even have a one mile race at the beginning of June just to sharpen up on speed.

Lee Merrien, the GIAAC athletics development officer, explained how to use the races to prepare for the half marathon.

‘If you want to get the best out of a half marathon, whether at the front or back of the field, you need variety in your preparations.

‘You need to run the longer races to improve on stamina and endurance but it also makes good sense to do the shorter runs to sharpen up on speed. It also makes for a more interesting training schedule.

‘The Healthspan Half Marathon is a great event in the island athletics calendar as it gives a focus to so many runners as they come towards summer,’ said Merrien.

Williams is looking forward to it.

‘We often run in difficult conditions with a strong wind or it’s very warm but that doesn’t deter people. This year we have also added a 5k race for those who would prefer to run over shorter distances.’

Details of all races can be found on the GIAAC website and entries for the Healthspan Half Marathon can be obtained from the GASP office on 727899.

Article posted on 12th May, 2007 - 12.00am