Focus on a raceInterview

After a 17 year interruption, the Guernsey Waterfront Marathon is back

03 Jun, 2013 (Mon)

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On September 22nd 2013, you’ll be organizing the Guernsey Waterfront Marathon. Can you tell us where it is located?

The marathon starts and finishes on the waterfront in the heart of St. Peter Port, the capital of Guernsey.

How old is the race and why was it created in the first place?

This will be the 5th anniversary of the marathon after a gap of 17 years. In fact the first Guernsey Marathon took place in 1909.

What kind of route have you set up for the runners? How would you describe it?

The route takes runners through all 10 parishes of Guernsey with an initial gentle climb for about 3kms then the course is relatively flat. It then descends onto our west coast to sea level and to the finish line.

Near Fermain Bay
Credit : Heather Cowper

How many runners do you expect on Sunday morning?

Including the Marathon and Relay Races we expect to have about 800 runners taking part.

What type of runners do you plan to attract?

We already have entries from elite athletes. We attract good club runners and also recreational runners. There will be many runners for which Guernsey will be their first marathon.

Do you organize other races during the Weekend? If so, on what distances?

Apart from the marathon we will be holding the IAG Grand Prix which is a series of six criterium cycle races.

At that time of the year, what kind of weather can we expect?

The marathon will take place on Sunday 22 September 2013. Conditions for marathon running are ideal. The Guernsey climate is influenced by the prevailing south westerly winds of the Gulf Stream. The average temperatures for September are around 14-18 °C (52-64 °F).

St Peter Port
Credit : mark connell

Have you planned festivities around the marathon?

Within the Marathon Village we have a pub the ‘Athlete’s Foot’ which will cater for runners and families with meals, drinks and refreshments. As we also have children races we will be providing entertainment for them in the form of bouncy castles and street entertainers.

The race finished, what advice would you give a runner who has never been to Guernsey before? A good restaurant, a fancy sightseeing?

In St. Peter Port there’s a mouth-watering array of restaurants, cafes and bistros and a unique shopping experience with tax free prices.

In a single sentence, what would you tell the readers of ahotu Marathons to make them register for the Guernsey Waterfront Marathon?

The stunning scenery along the mainly flat course, with nearly 20 miles of coastal views will make it a personal best of any marathon.

Interview with Peter Head, Race director of the Guernsey Waterfront Marathon. The Event is organized by Peter, Katey de Menezes and their team. Guernsey has a reputation for being very laid back and friendly, all the members of the team taking a very personal interest in all the runners that take part in the event.

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