Another large field of 517 runners toed the line for the 11am start.

Rather than nervously waiting up front for the gun to send me off on a painful quest in search of a fast time, i positioned myself at the very back.  The idea was to road test that my injury was well and truly confined to the history books and also to see the race from a different perspective.

The first thing of note was that it's not just the runners up front who fall into the trap of going off too fast!  It took me the best part of the first mile to spot the back of the first Carn vest.  It was Fi and she was going at a good pace.  Too good in fact as her wheels were to come off quite dramatically and her engine blow a gasket or two before the finish.

Trevemper roundabout was in sight before i caught up with Sandy and Judy who were running together at world record pace.  They informed me that Lizzy was just up in front and say hello to her for them.

Either Lizzy ran into a field or i simply missed her but i spent the rest of the race thinking "where the hell is she?"

The 'hill' was out of the way and passing two miles i noted that even with a cautious start i was still around 8:30 pace.  Those girls were either going to have massive PB's or a bad day out!!

Next up was Harry who was going well also.  A "well done, mate" as i passed and i strained my eyes for the next Carnie.

Just before the left turn, race leader and eventual winner, Kevin Toher passed me heading the other way on his way to breaking the course record.

Just after that, me ol' shippers, Pete Waumsley was coming the other way and giving me a high five (most likely in response to see me going so slow!).

At halfway i decided to make an effort for the return leg.  However, all the other Carnies had long gone.

Mark Dorrell was our first runner home breaking the 40 minute barrier with a 39:46 clocking.

Pete Kearney was next in a little over 44 minutes with a fast improving Janet a couple of minutes behind him in a tad over 46.

Nigel Tomlinson has been the top Carn performer in this years GP series.  He's done every one this year following on from Dave Mounter's 100%-er in 2008.  Nigel's times have been getting better all year, so a big Well Done to him from the Yellow and Blues.

Andy Millward and Pete Drew were just seconds apart and had good runs.  Pete's white cap had been visible to me at one stage but since i'd 'shot my bolt' by warming up with Juliet Knowles, that's as near as i got to him!

Dennis showed his class by proving how effective he is at pace judgement once again.  He needed this race as his eighth counter and despite coming back from injury ran a slow but steady even pace and swept up loads of those 'early spurters' to finish comfortably.

Thanks to everyone who came and supported us.  It was great to see and hear you all out there.

Laura took the photos so enjoy!!

PS.  The injury held up okay so to hell with an easy comeback, see you at Eden next week!!