Pretty wet underfoot after heavy rain all day but not so cold at 12C and no wind. Not quite as heavy conditions as in March but bad enough, particularly because most of the 14 participants had spent the previous few days running long and hard, some on the hills, some on the roads, some especially in the mock Johnson’s handicap last Friday. As expected Tony W, currently in excellent form, swept through the field. Only just behind after equally good efforts were David B – now a second year M60 – and a rejuvenated Anwen. Arwel and Peter also beat the handicapper’s expectations, and Tony B was disappointed at not outkicking Elen but I think that was being a bit hard on himself as he did close a minute on her which is pretty good these days.
Only read this last bit if you remember the 1980 Olympics and appreciate a strong imagination:
More interesting was the showdown between Menai, Bob, and Chris. Remembering that Bob is the distance man, he was expected to take the longer Johnson’s race on Friday but Chris grabbed the initiative there. A bit like Ovett v Coe in the 1500/800 showdown, the longer race therefore went to the wrong man. Bob, like Ovett, took the shorter one today decisively. In this scenario Menai, pushing them both but in last place, can play the younger athlete – the upcoming Steve Cram (though it doesn’t quite work since he was last in the 1500 not the 800). Whatever, Bob surprised me at any rate.
1st Tony W ……finished 6.45.35pm……time 23:35
2nd David B……………….6.45.38pm…………..27:08
3rd Anwen………………….6.45.41pm…………..33:41
4th Mel………………………6.45.48pm…………..27:48
5th Arwel……………………6.46.15pm…………..31:45
6th Katy……………………..6.46.30pm………….28:30
7th Peter…………………….6.46.42pm…………..32:12
8th Elen …………………….6.46.56pm……………30:26
9th Tony B………………….6.47.00pm…………..29:30
10th Bob…………………….6.47.17pm…………….33:17
11th Adam…………………..6.47.40pm……………27:40
12th Chris……………………6.47.56pm……………33:56
13th Menai…………………..6.48.17pm……………34:17
Dnf Duncan due to injury.
