Race Reports - February 2026
Malta Marathon
Race Report by Martin Cooper
Sometime last spring I decided I wanted to run in an event abroad. After a bit of research, I came across the Malta marathon. My family and I had visited the islands twice before and honestly haven't got a bad word to say about them. So that was it, decision made, family holiday to one of our favourite destinations with a marathon thrown in!
Friday afternoon we traveled to Sliema to race HQ to collect my race pack. The race itself started at 6.45am Sunday, so Saturday evening I went to bed early while the family enjoyed the hotel entertainment.
5.45 Sunday morning my Uber arrived in darkness to take me to the start in Mdina. After a quick loo stop and watching the sunrise over the ancient city we lined up at the startline.
I started a little further back than was ideal and found myself struggling to get into a rhythm early on as I weaved my way through the crowd. The route took us though Rabat and Nigret before rounding Ta'qali, passing the national stadium and American embassy and heading through Mosta before coming back to Ta'qali where the half marathon runners join us at around 14/15 miles.
This was both a blessing and a curse as the marathon pack was becoming very spaced out at this point, so to have extra runners around lifted the spirits but there were a lot of half marathon runners moving at a slower pace and I found myself having to weave a lot to find space to run into for the next few miles.
From here the route took us along the main road through some wonderful countryside passing several towns until we reached the coast near Pieta. We pretty much followed the coastline from here round the beautiful harbours until I reached the finish line in Sliema in a new P.B of 3 hours and 22 minutes.
The course was stunning, the crowd support was great, the fellow runners were all supportive, I ran a P.B, the sun was shining and the medal was big and shiny! What more could I ask for?
London Winter 10k
Race Report by Holly Ansell
The weather bites back!
Well, this was definitely what I call a “winter run” that packed a punch. We had non stop rain, wind and an icy chill in the air (along with the odd snow flake appearing at Trafalgar Square!) after queuing for the bag drop and all important portaloo stop!
Anyone would think I was describing an adventurous trip to Iceland down the frozen foods aisle! Plus, a few Polar bears, penguins, wolves and yeti snowmen thrown in.
This is my third year of doing this particularly special race and I wasn’t going to let too much of the awful weather spoil it! I was in a new colour wave for the first time in Bronze (the two previous years were Dark Blue) and my wave didn’t start until at least 10:20 - 10:30. We also had a guest celebrity to start the klaxon this year, Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards and runners were doing high fives as they passed at the start. This was also a good race for fundraising for Cancer Research and for those who wanted to dedicate the race to their loved ones.
As we queued around the short walking distance near Trafalgar Square towards the start I was anticipating just finishing early (no matter how slow with aches and chills) and getting something hot to eat and back in the warm…and before I knew it off we went!
I started off with a jog/short run like everyone else just to get things warmed up a bit and then slowed down to my usual power walk pace as not to over do it with the cold air taking my breath away and making me cough. I love the atmosphere, sights and sounds of central London and sounds of choirs singing, drummers banging away and the odd boombox smashing out ghetto tunes that made a great rhythm to dance along to - it was nice to hear so many melodies and beats around me.
As always, the people dressed as Polar Bears, penguins and other winter creatures came out to high five runners and do selfies.
I was feeling extremely knackered on my feet trying to fight the rain and not seize up! And felt completely drenched with my orange hoodie on! But all the time I had people cheer me on as I went round and one or two said “Come on Coastal Strider! You can do this!” Or “Come on Ramsgate Lass, you’ve got this!” And it always gives me positive vibes when I see one or two familiar faces from either our club or another. There were also one or two Margate parkrun faces I saw who spoke to me as they jogged past.
Finishing roughly around the 2 hour mark, I managed to get my beautiful craft of an abstract polar bear medal and a few free participant treats at the end. All that was left for me to do was struggle with the cold and wet to get my bag and saunter slowly back to Victoria Station for a McDonald’s and a warm up on the train. As I’ve written my report this morning, I’ve now nicely warmed up with a couple of overnight hot water bottles in bed and thawed out!
Definitely an arctic expedition of its own this time around, but on better weather days a great one to add to the race calendar.
Headcorn Half
Race Report by Simon Notley
Have you seen this man? Last seen running around Headcorn Half Marathon…
Rumour has it he escaped from a high security facility, identifiable only by the bright orange Coastie top and a time tag shackled to his ankle number 216. Do not approach him he is wanted for doing too much running. Witnesses report that he was last spotted charging through the Kent countryside in conditions best described as “character building” — cold enough to question your life choices.
The Headcorn Half is advertised as “mostly flat,” which is a way of saying: you’ll notice the inclines, especially when your legs are already negotiating puddles and pot holes. The wind joined in too, just to add to the challenge of the hills. Despite all that, our fugitive runner pressed on. Mile after mile, watching his back for those police, partly fuelled by determination, partly by the fear that someone might try to return him to whatever institution issues timing chips that look like ankle monitors. By the final stretch, he picked up the pace and survived both the British weather and a daring escape sequence. Crossing the finish line 1:40:08, slightly long with Strava saying new pb of 1:39:30.
Dover Waterfront Parkrun
Race Report by Brian Veaney
Peter Rossiter and I decided to try and stay away from trail running, potholes and puddles this week so rocked up for the Dover Waterfront Park run.
We had a lovely surprise in the carpark and were met by Emily Sayer, Darren Sayer and Sarah Richards who came to join us along with 165 other like-minded souls. The weather was set fair with no rain, but a gusty breeze kept letting us know we were on an exposed seafront.
Dover is allegedly the flattest Park run course in the country. The tarmac covered out and back x 2 + harbour arm proved to be just that, with wind against us for approximately half of the course making up for the lack of inclines. For Pete and I it was our first visit to Dover and a lovely welcome and friendly marshalls mean we will return in the future.
All the Coasties ran well with Darren the Dash taking the plaudits with a 22 min effort, a sub 30 for myself, Steady Sarah and Dover Pb's for Electric Emily and Pacy Pete made it a good excursion. As if on cue the rain started 10 minutes after we finished which made it even better. Thank-you to DWPR and to all of the marshals who proved, as they do everywhere, that Parkrun is fully inclusive and welcoming!!.
For those who haven't tried this ParkRun, please add it to your list, it's Flat, fun and occasionally Flipping breezy lol.
Whitstable Harbour - 5 Mile and 5K
Race Report by Holly Ansell
Here’s to a brand new year and a brand new race in the form of Whitstable Harbour 5 mile and 5K.
Coasties made their way over to the infamous shores and pebbles in the seaside town today and we all managed to gather round near Race HQ in the South Quay Hut. Me and Hayley both signed up for 5K and Lorna, Emily, Kate, Sarah, Fay and Glenn all went for the 5 miler.
A nice dry and slightly sunny day for it, with the exception of the accumulation of large, muddy puddles and mud-covered concrete slabs in places.
We were off to a good start (5 milers in waves 1 and 2, then us in the 5K). I started off well and slowed down to power walk most of the time when I needed to. I was worried when I couldn’t see anyone else in sight in front of me at one point, but luckily, we weren’t short of marshals or arrows to help lead the way.
The beginning started past the harbour huts and the wooden planks along the sea promenade. Some planks you had to run and jump over them almost, along the concrete aswell as going past the beach and over a couple of sloping railway bridges as quick as I could (especially on the going down part!)
However, this next bit I’m about to tell you might sound unbelievable - but I felt we were going up and down an assault course of concrete stairs (reminded me of the ones at the train station! But muddy and worse!) others would agree this was probably one of the most horrendous parts to do and knackered me!
The course was multi terrain throughout and after dealing with stairs in and out there were hilly slopes that took you high up above the green forestry and one or two of these were slippery with mud and lots of it! I was definitely glad when one marshal shouted “That’s it now - that was the last hill or set of stairs and you’re now back on flat, grassy, solid ground!” Forgot to mention that the 5 milers did their extra mileage in a loop going out towards Tankerton and back round again to continue the route.
This brought us back towards the route near the start with the wooden promenade and concrete slabs, going back towards the harbour I saw a little cluster of orange waiting for me around the corner cheering. I felt a bit light headed and tired on the last few metres, but I sped up with Sarah helping me by my side to do a big sprint finish! At the end I got a beautiful medal with an engraved image of the harbour huts and boats.
Overall, not the best route for me, but a nice, picturesque sea view and I didn’t mind jumping or running in and out of a few wet puddles. All worth it mostly for the medal!