Alton Towers Half Marathon 2022 - Am I cursed?!

Sunday 13 November 2022 saw the second Alton Towers Half Marathon organised by RunThrough. Having run the first event last year ‪@itsonandy‬ invited me to join him to travel up and take on the 13.1 mile distance. The 'undulating' course (code for hilly) took us around the theme park passing all the iconic rides and out past the resort hotel. Once finished we were then free to enjoy the thrill of the rides for the rest of the day. Unfortunately, lightning struck twice and things didn't go to plan during the race. I think I may have upset the running gods somehow. What happened? Have a watch to find out.
www.theob1.co.uk
@ob1brand
Go check out Andy's channel and see the race from his point of view
‪@itsonandy‬

[@jamessleat8651]

Great running Brett, Im loving the videos with you and Andy its like some sort of Simpsons/Futurama crossover episode!

[@ob1brand]

Thank you James. Haha brilliant. Which one of us is Homer and which one is Fry though?...

[@AndrewSmith-zm7vn]

Keep those video's coming! Great how you bring these running events to life with a great outlook and attitude!

[@ob1brand]

Thank you Andrew. That's really kind of you. I really enjoy putting the videos together so I'm really glad you enjoy watching them.

[@mattnycum]

Impressive! You’ve got remarkable fitness to be able to carry on an easy conversation as you throttled up to catch the 1:40 pacer! You Redditch runners are amazing! Very well done!

[@ob1brand]

Thank you Matt. Thanks for the kind words. I set myself a new challenge and the competitive streak in me helped me get it done. Thank you for watching.

[@PoetWithPace]

Such a technical course, narrow paths and lots of cross overs. Surprised not more end up lost also?....you should try the Droitwich half marathon...."proper undulating" course and lots of marshalls pointing you in the correct direction 🙂

[@ob1brand]

It was quite a technical and twisty course but that was part of the fun haha. I think I was just unlucky as I went the right way and then got called back by the marshal. Never mind though. I have heard Droitwich is a good one. That's when it's not waterlogged and flooded though haha.

[@PoetWithPace]

@@ob1brand or snowed under! Its back on for March next year!

[@hedders277]

Great run, and great job adjusting quickly mentally after the mishap! Having gone wrong myself a few times over the years I make a big effort to study the course ahead of time now. Keep it up!

[@ob1brand]

Thank you. Yeah, I learnt from my last race to stay positive. Running should be fun. I really should start making an effort to study the course maps. I always just tell myself it will be fine though haha.

[@mattb6873]

Ah I know how disappointed the run through team will be with that error too, they put a lot of time into the event! Congrats on great upload again though

[@ob1brand]

The event was awesome and I've already signed up for next years half as I enjoyed it so much. It was disappointing but couldn't bring down a great day. Thank you for watching.

[@helenbaker8480]

OMG, can't believe it happened to you again 🤦‍♀️but great mindset this time, well done 🏆

[@ob1brand]

I know, I couldn't believe it either haha. I learnt from last time though and went back. Thanks Helen.

[@runmyworld]

OMG not again ! I know you turned it round but I still feel for you. I loved how you took us on the rides with you because it’s the nearest you’ll ever get me to experience them 😂 terrifying! Here’s to your next adventure

[@ob1brand]

I know, two in a row! It was hard not to enjoy the run though with the great atmosphere. I almost didn't go on Oblivion but somehow plucked up the courage. The rush of adrenaline is awesome. Thanks for watching.

[@ennkay5132]

Ohhh noooo... what a great vid though. Well done for a smashing time. Well done for going on oblivion too 🤣🤣

[@ob1brand]

Thank you. Really enjoyed the whole day so hopefully that came across. It was touch and go with Oblivion. Just made a snap decision and made sure I couldn't back out. Super happy I did!

[@ricd2821]

Looks an ankle shredder of a course and so narrow overtaking those 10k runners, my idea of hell, you smashed it out of the park brother!

[@ob1brand]

Thanks Ric. It was a great fun course but definitely had to watch your step on occasions. Really happy with the result considering the extra miles and stopping to talk to the marshal. Thank you for watching.

[@Ryanbakerplays]

You're everywhere 😂 great video yet again 💪

[@ob1brand]

Hahaha yep. Sitting at home would be boring right. Thanks man.

[@mrk2450]

I cannot believe it Brett, again ! You should get a special medal 😄 As I said on Strava, I think next time just "Use The Force" as OB1 would 😄 At least you was not as livid as at Kingfisher the other week. That is still an impressive finish after doing an Ultra Half and it was nice to still see you smiling after. Looks like an impressive setting for a run which I may have a go at myself next year if they do it Maybe you need to add a "Don't send me the wrong way Marshall" tee to your merch 😀

[@ob1brand]

I know, what is going on? The force has not been strong with me recently haha. Yeah, definitely learnt from the Kingfisher 10K and turned it into a positive. It was such a good event it was hard not to smile at the end. It's a race to put on the calendar for sure. That is a great idea for a tee! Thanks Mark.

[@eddiegaul1903]

Way to push through it Brett. I could tell you were super frustrated. I think if I had run that far off track I'd probably have thrown in the towel. Do these races publish course maps? Sometimes that can help with the situation. Enjoyed the video and love your dedication to the sport.

[@ob1brand]

Thank you Eddie. Yeah, I couldn't believe it had happened two races in a row. But I used the last race as a learning experience and carried on. They do publish course maps which I should really look at but I always tell myself it will be fine haha. Thanks for watching and your ongoing support.

[@SwimBikeRunStu]

You need to slow down and run as slowly as me. That way you are always in a crowd of people 😂 On the bright side, Some more training miles in the legs.

[@ob1brand]

Haha thanks Stu. I definitely need to try and keep up with someone in front to follow in the future. Yep, every mile adds to the fitness.

[@trueredred859]

Great attitude..

[@ob1brand]

Thank you. Learnt from my mistakes at the last race and turned a negative into a positive.

[@racheld1844]

You literally couldn’t write it!…. or, I guess film it. If you’d have put a bet on before Redditch, that you’d go wrong on 2 races, you’d be a very rich man 😂 Looked very atmospheric with all the taller rides in low cloud and nice to see Andy with you enjoying the rides after. I’m exactly the same with oblivion, the one I hate the most!😱

[@ob1brand]

I know, right!? I couldn't believe it but learnt from Redditch and turned it into a positive. It was hard not to enjoy the day anyway as it was such a good event. Running past all the rides was crazy haha. Couldn't have asked for better company and hearing Andy scream on all the rides properly made me laugh. Yep, I took a long time to decide whether to go on Oblivion but just had to do it and glad I did. Thanks Rachel.

[@Mylifeinthreeminutes]

Bad marshalling again! This is one of the pitfalls of being so quick that you're all on your own! Shouldn't happen though.

[@Mylifeinthreeminutes]

Also, what's the song that played on the Wicker Man?

[@ob1brand]

I seem to always run at a pace where I always end up in no man's land on my own haha. I know Marshals don't always get it right but I'm hoping I've had my fair share of bad luck now haha. Thanks for watching Tom.

[@ob1brand]

It's one of the copyright free tracks from KZbin Studio. Not sure where it would be found other than that.