Yesterday, the weather was perfect for a summer Friday evening. The 2.5 runners started at 6:45 and the 5 km race started at 7:15. They do have timing chip[s but no starting timing mat so all times are gun times. I noticed, that a gentleman that I had narrowly beaten last year was back again. Last year I was in the 60-69 age group and he was in the 70 plus. This year we were direct competitors. Last year I followed him for most of the race and passed him about the 4 km mark and managed to stay in front to the finish.
This year, I lined up directly behind him and followed him for the first 500 metres. I was feeling pretty good so I gradually overtook him in the next 500 metres. At the turn und, he was about 3oo metres behind me. He ended un over 2 minutes behind me.
My chip time was 25:58. This was 17 seconds faster than last year and just 11 seconds off my PB for a 5 km race. This was good for 1st in my age group ( and would have been 1st in the 60-69 age group as well ). My competitor was 2nd and my friend Tom third in the 70 plus category.
As mentioned, this is a nice little race. Although the course is tough and there are few spectators ( although they were very enthusiastic
) , they do have food and cold drinks at the finish and a plethora of door prizes and age awards as well.
