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@ewanmac
In general I'm dead set against H&S rubbish but can see its benefit for endurance sport. TBH, most 17year olds probably wouldn't have a problem with training and racing a half marathon (and it's the volume of training that is more likely to cause problems than the single race event) but from my own experience, everyone matures physically at a different rate - based on metrics such as bone fusion (I'm sure there is a proper term) I was physiologically 13yo when I was actually 18. The idea of running a half never crossed my mind back then but I think that it would have been very unwise for me to have considered it.
A guy I know won the 20-25cat at CH-Henley and is coached by Tom Lowe (11th in Hawaii). Despite huge talent everyone is telling him to steer clear of full distance for several years - the younger you start the sooner you burn out. I think the same advice was given to Phil Graves after his win at IMUK in 2009.
CH Henley is also a pretty tough course, so depending which course your uncle set his PB on the 13hours may not be as bad as first appearances.
Pizza, ice-cream, lounge and coffee it is next year. Actually I might set my Turbo up in front of the TV and do an uber session... that would be fun :)