City of London Mile 2016

The third Amba Hotels City of London Mile took place on 19 June 2016, with more than 2800 runners taking part in 16 races ranging from family waves to elite men's and women's fields. The free event is organised with the fine The Running Works shop, and takes in an iconic route starting by St Pauls Cathedral and running round the Bank of England before finishing on Cheapside.

The race organisers had listened to feedback from last year and made some improvements on what was already a good event. The start, for instance, had been moved on to a wider section of road to avoid the early congestion some found last year. 

It was my second year of taking part, and in fact only my second mile race, and I was pleased enough to take 14 seconds of last year's time and finish with a PB of 5:42.  Top 20 Power of 10/Run Britain for my age for the distance on road,  I'll take it! At the front of the field, Australian Rio hopeful Luke Matthews set a course record to win in 4.03 (full results here)

well this might be the first and last time I make top 20 in GB rankings (for age), so you'll just have to forgive me for posting

I strongly recommend taking part next year if you get the chance - registration usually opens in February. Nice technical t-shirt too (not included in the free registration)

See also: City of London Mile 2015

City of London Mile 2015

The mile race has an iconic status in the history of British athletics, brought up as many of us have been on the legend of Roger Bannister and the first sub-four minute mile in 1954. Not only that but the mile itself is woven into the English language in numerous idioms - 'saw it a mile away', 'go the extra mile', 'walk a mile in my shoes' etc. (though those who want to maintain that the mile is something distinctly British should note that its name derives from the Roman unit for a 1000 paces - mīlle passus or passuum).

As most of international athletics is based on metric distances, the mile race rarely features in major events, but it is going through something of a renaissance with two big London events launched in the last few years. The Westminster Mile started in 2013, and last year was joined by the new City of London Mile. 

The second race of the latter took place today, in cool and slightly damp conditions (though the drizzle had more or less stopped by the time running started) . Really it was 16 races, including 12 waves plus a wheelchair race, youth race, and elite men's and women's races. The start and finish point were both in the vicinity of St Pauls Cathedral, with the course heading on roads past Mansion House and the Bank of England.

The first wave passes to the South of St Pauls - this stretch was also on the route for the 2012 London Olympic Marathon, though I think running in the opposite direction.

 It was the first time I've run a mile race, of course if you're used to running longer distances it all goes by very quickly and you certainly don't have much time to make up for any delays or slow sections. The event, which was free thanks to sponsorship of Amba Hotels, was enjoyable and well organised (OK apart from the baggage pick up which was fairly chaotic - maybe a bigger tent next year?).

After my run I stayed to watch the elite races - in fact you can manage to see the start and then cut round the back of St Pauls to see the finish. Men's race was won by New Zealand's Julian Matthews, finishing his first road mile in 4:04, ahead of Australia's Collis Birmingham (4:05) and GB's Tom Lancashire (4:05). The women's race was won by Alison Leonard in 4:40, followed closely by Jemma Simpson (4:41) and Australia's Zoe Buckman (4:43). 

(results here)

All in all, a great event - look out for next year's.

5:55:32 - I'll take it.