Run Rabbit, Run.

I ran the 2025 Cardiff Half Marathon against the backdrop of an ongoing unfolding family trauma. This meant that I hadn’t done the amount of training I really should have. If I’m honest two gigs that week - Magnetic Fields and Edwyn Collins in Bristol and Bath respectively) plus two meals with friends and family. I was never going to get the best time, so more than ever I was coasting on previous fitness.

One of the great things about this year’s half was that I was once again joined by my niece Courtney who was running it for the second time and the pleasure of the my sister and brother-in-law’s company. We hung about in the Park Plaza reception until 9:45. I thought I knew the way to the runner’s pens, but it turned out that I knew the way to my running pen, so poor Courtney had to walk back to hers when I saw two people with blue race numbers walk in the opposite direction to us. One of the other great things about the day was that it was gorgeous an unseasonably sunny day. I didn’t even have to take my usual disposable hoodie, but the sun would have repercussions for the race.

I clambered over the barrier by the castle and into my pen with only five minutes to spare till gun time, which was perfect, and before you knew it we were off. The first few miles are always a shock, especially as I never warm up or stretch. I was coughing and spluttering and because it was sunny I was drenched in sweat even before I hit the first mile on Penarth Rd. I sorta got into a groove and ground through the miles. The hill at mile 3 running up and down into Cardiff Marina didn’t feel too bad this year. Running across the barrage was a dream as there was a very welcome breeze, and after that it was just churning through the miles. The race was helped by the supporters and I saw some faces in the crowd I didn’t expect, especially my best mate Matthew, Amanda and their son Nate, who nearly gave me a heart attack when he jumped out to cheer me on.

I won’t go into details but I shouldn’t have had a lentil curry the night before.

I always look forward to seeing to seeing the Drag Queen at mile 10, just before Roath Park Lake, which seems to go on forever when you’re running it. I did find the stretch between mile 8 and 11 tough, but got a second wind (nothing to do with the lentil curry) in the last couple of miles. I quite enjoyed the end stretch, even with the hill at mile 12 and managed a sprint finish at the end, and got in at a respectable - if unremarkable 1:44/48. As ever it was over before it had began.

Like a prick I started running the course again at Richmond Road so I could get back home quicker to my traditional can of stout in the bath and celebrations.