Sometimes, you go to a race and see an exceptionally good performance and sometimes you see a Barlicker coming home in first place. At this race, we saw both. Matt Watson ran a brilliant race. He set a sensible pace on the first ascent from the start and took the race lead on the level section before the next climb. At the top of that climb, he had already built up a good lead and was running easily and smoothly, but very quickly. The chasing runner looked laboured by comparison. Matt already looked to have the race sewn up. The only question remaining was how big would his winning lead be. When he came back into view, on the descent before the run around the reservoir, no chasing runners were within sight. He was still going well and the question then arose of whether he would set a new course record. He finished in a remarkable time of 29:56. John Roche was a little reticent about whether it was a course record, saying that over the years, there had been minor adjustments to the course, which is true. But since the Covid outbreak, the course has remained the same and during that time, no one has finished under 31 minutes. So it looks very much like a course record and it will be interesting to see how long it is before anyone beats that time. Craig Shearer had entered for this race, but sadly did not turn up on the night. It is a pity, because he is quick and if those two had been out in front, pushing each other along, what would the winning time have been?
Further down the field, but not that much further, Karl Nevison was giving another display of his amazing running prowess and he powered home in 7th place, comfortably taking the first M55 position.
In the ladies race, the Barlickers were led home by the every improving Lisa Gee.
Men's Race
1 Matt Watson 29:56 (1st M45)
7 Carl Nevison 35:41 (1st M55)
57 James Austin 43:55
85 Raymond Banks 48:36 (3rd M70)
Women's Race
14 Lisa Gee 48:53
30 Lucy Mirifield 53:28
35 Lydia Hirst 54:17