Hursley 10k, 2019

This race is a perennial favourite. Yes, it does get a bit over-excited in its over-use of glitzy bet-you're-as-excited-as-we-are communications, but that doesn't detract from a friendly local race with a cracking good chase around a forest. As usual, plenty of familiar faces were there - but what was unusual was the full-on heat of the day, already building by 10am.

As we set off, about 12 runners went decisively ahead, and I wondered whether I'd manage to keep my record of a top ten finish. I needn't have worried... into the third km we were into the woods and going uphill, where I took out about four runners in one go.

Soon after this I became aware of Matt Brown and David Currie ahead of me. I gradually pulled towards them, and spent a few minutes on their tail, happy to let them set the pace. With a couple of km to go, Matt was ushering me past him, and I left them both behind as we went through the final stages of the wood and then out on to the long avenue to the finish.

I was on my own, and I had to work hard to keep the pace up approaching the finish line. I heaved to the end and flopped down in the sunshine.  I was 6th place and 1st M50 in a time of 38:29... here are my stats.

With the Sleaths at the finish