Morning After – 2015

A very mild but windy morning saw 178 runners set off on New Year’s morning to tackle this 5 mile ‘fun’ (?) run with an increasingly competitive edge, certainly at the top end of the field. 12 Croft runners turned out, possibly more than on Boxing Day, with Simon taking the honours (just) in 13th place. Felipe Jones won by a margin of over 2 minutes, in 30.10. Simon though was hotly pursued by Sam (34.19) who crossed the line just 3 seconds behind him. Glyn (37.02) and Pat (37.40) had their usual duel, but were chased all the way by Jordan (37.46), Greg (37.55) and Nigel (38.06). It was good to see Martin (41.11) back running, after a long spell under the weather, and he kept ahead of Sue (41.36), who despite her bashfulness at the start strode off leaving me and Gary to dispute the minor placings. As it was, Gary decided to just sit on my heels all the way round, till 50m to go and then he slowed so we’d cross the line together. The time keepers were getting confused and gave us times 2 seconds apart, with a non-existent runner just behind being awarded a time 1 second slower, so I guess we crossed the line in 42.34. Steve Jakeman, like Jordan, was making a welcome reappearance and finished in 49.59. Sue was first LV50, Gary 2nd MV65 (behind Dic Evans, of Cardiff AC and Wales) and I was 1st MV70.