A bonus on the night was the cloud cover that made it a degree or two cooler.

A record entry of 520 had Paul Bullock and co struggling to squeeze everyone into the narrow start area.  They’ll be widening it to a dual carriageway for next year if race entries keep rising as they are.

The race got off to an explosive start.  I was playing ‘chicken’ just up the lane from the start and it was pretty hairy as that freight train of runners came flying towards me.
The camera was ready but it proved a pointless exercise as a blur of heads and elbows went charging past me.

By the time I’d walked back to the finish and necked a pint of Tribute, the first runner was inbound.

I positioned myself in a good position on the run-in to the football ground finish just as Ollie Shilson came floating up the lane looking cool as a cucumber.  I did detect him breathing hard even though he made it look effortless.

Mark Dorrell was our first runner and well up the field. He was looking like he’s in top form and ready for next weeks Classic Quarter relay.

Tom Polglase was next. He just keeps getting better and better and defying age and injuries.

It was great to see Pete Kearney back producing fast race times and back to decent fitness again.

I was nicking Ian M’s chant for a moment shouting “C’mon, the Mighty Bay” as second-claim Carnie/Elvis Tribute act, Sam Perkin came up the lane. And then, quick as a flash he’d ‘left the building’. He makes good cakes, that lad.

Steve Phillips is doing the full Classic Quarter next Saturday and I resisted the temptation to shout “Only 39 miles to go, Steve!” as he passed me smiling away.  He actually beat his time a Cubert as he had had a nightmare there.

Janet Ritchie and Pete Drew were camera shy and hid behind other runners so all I got was the odd elbow or hand in my shots of them.

Another great return was that of Martin Symons and a bonus of a decent time. He was well happy and we look forward to seeing more of you out there, Martin. Great stuff.

Steve Marks had Nigel Tomlinson on his shoulder as they raced for the finish. Another good GP result for Nigel. It was Steve’s last race before jetting out to New Zealand for the next 3 weeks.  He does the marathon out there next weekend so look out for his report after next Sunday.

Dave Mounter was soon hurtling round the corner and produced yet another top performance.  Like Tom, he just gets better all the time.

Barry Drew was ‘suffering’ running on tarmac again, being more at home on the country or multi-disipline events.

Fellow triathlete Alex Findlay, was also getting in some road racing ready for the summer triathlon fest.

I made a bit of a meal of Lizzy Culley’s fast start and demise at Cubert where she got beaten by Ol’ Ma Culley.  She obviously meant to put that episode well and truly to bed and had a much better race, despatching the old girl back to where she belongs!!!

Carol ‘Ma’ Culley still had a good race and was able to take some ‘glory’ about beating poor old Laura Millward who’s right knee ain’t been right since London and is on the verge breaking in two!  Amazing how much damage runners will do to avoid missing out on a GP point.  Take a week or two off, Laura!!!!

I nearly missed Sandy Jamieson as she was sporting the new style vest.  She was showing no signs of a London hangover and was smiling for the camera.

Carol Garrett and Judy Jameson were neck and neck with Carol having caught Judy in the last mile. They kept each other going up that tough last mile, neither allowing the other to give in to the pain. Carol pulled away a little approaching the field and just edging it as they came to the finish.

I thought I caught Carole Drew walking around the corner at the end of the lane but she must have just been slowing and preparing herself for the camera.  She looked up, saw me and came hurtling towards me. I was going to drop the camera and run (you would have done so too, just look at her face) but remembered I could hardly walk never mind run!

Julie ‘Boogie’ Knights was next and running her third race. Her goal was to break the hour. Her ‘coach’ must be pretty good or else she had seen sense and used my AC/DC, Motorhead Ipod instead of her Boy/Girl band garbage.
Whatever she finished in 54:44!!  A great performance.  Keep it going!

That summed up the fine performances of our runners on the night. Gutsy runs to push their running goals onwards and upwards.

Good to see Dennis up there and supporting our runners despite recovering from his recent op.  Good spirit there and all our runners were enjoying the pasties and a cuppa as they recounted their race experiences. The sun reappeared to round off a great evenings racing.

Many Thanks to Paul Bullock and his team for putting on another superb event and for the great facilities and goodies for the runners.

Well Done everyone.  Keep it going…..

Results in Results Section.  Photography by HopalongPhotos.limp