We had a record breaking entry of exactly 100 this year as we welcomed good numbers from Dartford Harriers, Central Park Athletics, Bexley AC and Greenwich Tritons, as well as many other clubs, to our 7.5 miler.
The leading group was soon whittled down to just three: Bexley's Thomas Wright, Cambridge's Chris Loudon and James Rolls of Dartford Harriers, and that was the order in which they finished with sizeable gaps having opened up by the end of the 7.5 miles. Thomas Wright's time of 43:58 was the fastest since 2014 despite some rather muddy conditions on some sections. Chris wasn't wearing his newly acquired Scotland vest but I did spot a pair of tartan shorts.
Chris Loudon, James Rolls, Thomas Wright
Fourth overall, and first female was another Scotland international, Holly Page of Dartford Harriers, a fantastic performance: her time of 46:55 being the fastest for a woman for the 20 years for which I have results. The last time that I had the honour of running in the same race as her she was wearing a Scotland vest finishing third female and leading her nation to team silver in the International Snowdon Race (and beating me by about half an hour).
Angus Vosper, Holly Page
Second and third places in the ladies' race both went to Cambridge runners: Holly Dixon and Emily Meins. Holly's time of 50:14 would have been good enough to win it in almost any other year.
Holly Dixon
Emily Meins leading from Mark Penny
As well as this being an "open" race it is also a club championship so medals are awarded to the top three Cambridge men, gold, silver and bronze going to Chris Loudon, Angus Vosper and John O'Mahony.
John O'Mahony
Thanks to all that ran and all that turned out to support, and of course to all those that helped make it a successful event. The next race in the series is the 10 miler on the 4th February.
Full results for this and previous races can be found here:
