On the outskirts of Edinburgh, the Scottish Half Runners have for years been reaching for new best times over the 21.1 kilometres, but also over the 10-kilometre distance as part of the Scottish 10K. In 2016 I tried it myself. I managed 1:17:43 hours that day. About three years later I wanted to do the same, only faster. My best time of 1:14:53 hours, which I had run at the Köln Marathon 2017, was to be beaten.

With plenty of tailwind from the best 10k time I set in Stirling just two weeks earlier, I went into the race, again attacking and again on course for best time from the first metre. From Meadowmill Sports Centre, the race went through Longniddry, Port Seton and Cockenzie towards the Musselburgh Race Course, where 2,000 half marathon runners crossed the finish line after 21.1 kilometres. However, before the last hundred metres could be run to the cheers of numerous spectators, there were almost 21 fast kilometres to run.

In a small group of three runners I completed the first five miles, which took me to the edge. After that I was on my own along the coast. I did my best against the clock and was happy when after 20 kilometres it was clear that I could not only break the 1:14:53 mark, but also the 1:14:00 mark. A few quick steps later I reached the finish line after 1:13:27 hours. The finish on the Musselburgh Race Course, where horse races normally take place, was atmospheric and emotional. Once again, the Scottish Half had proven to be a good place to chase a new best time. After 5- and 10-kilometre best times in Berlin, Edinburgh and Stirling, this was the fourth in a row.