The sun shined, the birds sang...well, not in SW19. I was soaked by 6.15am while setting up....athletes arrived by 8.50 and that was that. The rain decided to lash the runners up hill and dale...With no hour delays like other events in London that day(!) the early pace was dictated by Phil Sly. The 2.16 marathon runner played with the pace with Mark Warmby, John Gilbert, Ben Moreau and Andrew Rayner running to the fore too. Just behind, Tim Elsey, Hussein Ahmed and Michael Halman were fighting it out. With the high volume of other events on (years ago there was a certain 'respect' in the running community on race dates!) the ladies field was slightly limited in depth which made for some easy cash up for grabs. Nobody could match Naomi Warner followed by Laura Nurse of HHH.

Sly went through 5 mile in 26.30 and pulled back the breakaway of Warmby and Rayner. Unfortunately, Warmby (AAA Bronze over 5000m this year) had issues with his blistering feet soon after and had to settle back but like the true athlete he is, he finished the race. Rayner edged Sly over the second half and maintained the lead to the finish. Just behind, Moreau was race planning his forthcoming marathon while Gilbert chased Hussein all the way to the finish line....
The M40 prize was fought over with Abdi Abdul-Rashid of Serpentine taking the cash. The closest of the vets however was in the M50 with Bernie Mulvaney edging Hugh Saxby by a mere 4 seconds. The ever ready Peter Giles (plus cigar) took M60 with the M70 result having technical analysis.

I think this was the wettest '10' weather for many years. I hope it has not put any first timers off running.........Well done everyone for finishing and supporting the event. Keep it real, keep it old style. Eat Natural.

Richard.

and another race report...................