This race saw a first win for Robert Cranham and is a reward for all the effort he has put in to training. He made a decision some time ago to go out for a run everyday, even if he had raced the previous day and that dedication has now paid off.
This race was one of a mixed set of races and all runners started together. As a result, in the first stages of the race, you had no idea of how well you were doing, as some people were only running 10K. Robert was chasing the runner in front, when that runner suddenly turned off onto the 10K course. In a flash, Robert found himself in the lead. Then a schoolboy error caught up with him. His laces became undone. He always ties his laces in double knots before a race, but today, he forgot to do so. He stopped to tie his laces, but his hands were cold and he was wearing gloves which he had to remove. Whilst he was fiddling about with cold hands to try and tie his laces, he was passed. When he started running again, it took him two miles to regain the lead. Once in front, he did not let up and kept pressing on, even towards the end, when he was no longer under any pressure.
It was an early start for this race (8:00 am), but well worth getting out of bed for.
1 Robert Cranham 1:51:32