Yesterday I was running Österlen half Marathon which started at 18.10 (6 pm).

We drove from Lund 13.00 (1 pm) because we had to get our bibs before 15.00 (3 pm). It would have been good to be able to get those at Runners’ Store in Malmö because you have to wait til 16.48 (4.58 pm) when the train takes us to Gärnsnäs. So it is a long waiting. Österlen Marathon consists of three different races: Marathon, half marathon and for the first time this year relay. The Marathon started 18.00, relay 18.05 and half marathon 18.10. Just before we were on our way to starting gates Malin showed up who also ran for Coach K Runners.

Österlen Marathon is the race for those who like running, combined with cool experiences. The race goes through the darkness lit villages on scenic Österlen. Torches, and light artwork lining the road when the race is in progress at the same time as the annual light festival Österlen Lights

Tobias was running marathon and was the first person to start and then Jenny and I ran half Marathon and started 10 minutes later. My goal was to finish as close to 2 hours as possible but did not know how much the dark would affect me. It was mandatory with reflective vest and headlight and it did not take very long after the start that you knew why. We ran out on a road and it was pitch dark and cars came. That was what I felt was the frightening with this race running on these roads in the dark and cars coming but on the other hand it was interesting running in the dark. Normally I wouldn’t run by myself in the dark. In the beginning it was a bit crowded, some ran together in teams but after a while it was better not being too many running together.

I did not feel I needed to drink at the fuel stations. We had some audience in the villages cheering at us. When it was 4K left I started to run faster and faster and passed some people and then when we came to Borrby where the finishing line was for the half Marathon the road was bordered with torches. Just before the finish line Jenny cheered me on. I got my coating bag, t-shirt and some blue berry soap and got a hug from Malin who had done a really good race.

Jenny and I walked to the bus, saw one on our way there but the bus didn’t want to stop. Then we had to wait 45 minutes for the next bus so we were afraid we wouldn’t get back in time to cheer on Tobias. The finish line for marathon and relay was in Simrishamn where it was a party. Tobias did not look so good and the first thing he said was that the beetroor juice was the badman. From the start he felt he was going to puke but he did not quit.

I am satisfied with my time and it was an interesting evening and when I got back home I went straight to bed.