Life really was a beach for one GRC runner on the first weekend in December, specifically Nissi Beach, as Daniel Pearce travelled to Cyprus to race in the Ayia Napa Half Marathon.
An international field of just over 100 runners took part in the event organised by Nireas Triathlon.
An 8:00am start time was planned to try and minimise the effect of the winter heat. The sun still played a part though as the temperature began to rise gradually as the race progressed.
The route took in three laps of seven kilometres each, looping from Nissi Beach to the new harbour at Agia Thekla. This allowed for marshalling of several events at the same time. Other runners tackled distances of 5 and 10k, plus there was the introduction to this year’s edition of an exciting half marathon 3 person team relay, with each team member taking on a lap of the full course. Not only did it look like good fun, it also inadvertently added a bonus to Daniel’s race as fresher runners joined the course along the way and acted as pace setters which helped him keep up a quick pace as he began to tire later on.
Daniel started quickly and stayed ahead of his target time until the sun took it’s toll late on, but was very pleased to come home in 1:31:32, an official PB and good enough for 13th place and 6th in his age category.
The race was won by former Notts AC runner Richard O’Sullivan in 1:21:33.