Vicky Knapp, of the Nottingham Local Meet Up, writes up her experiences of the Edinburgh Marathon in blistering heat
I ran the Edinburgh Marathon in May in exceptionally hot temperatures — further evidence of the climate emergency we are living through. Every race is a chance to think about how we move, how we kit up, how we fuel and how we speak out.
HOW WE MOVE
I travelled the long journey by car rather than plane and stayed for a week’s holiday to make the most of the trip. I took a bus to the start line, and the organisers provided event buses for both participants and spectators.
HOW WE KIT UP
I wore a two-year-old running vest, gifted shorts, a loaned cap and a pre-loved pair of trainers.
HOW WE FUEL
The aid stations provided only single-use plastic bottles and gels. However, to reduce litter, bottle tops were removed and the tops of gels were cut off before being handed out. Progress, not perfection.
HOW WE SPEAK OUT
I wore my Green Runners badge with pride. You won’t spot it in the official photos because it was pinned to my back, but that meant it was visible to runners behind me and sparked conversations along the route. Those conversations gave me the opportunity to explain what we stand for and why it matters.
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