Lexus Croydon 10k

Lexus Croydon 10k

1st Michael Skinner 30.40

2nd Mike Halman     32.46

74th Sally Maddock (4th Lady) 41.59

438 finishers

A undulating twisty course east of Croydon. The weather was set fair and I thought that I might be able to sneak a victory.After looking at the map and the course profile I realized that a PB was probably out of the question but set out to run hard and have a good race. Looking at past years times I thought that I might have a chance of a prize (top 3) and also wanted to see if the increase in speed work that I am doing was having any effect. Sally is also running well and we both warmed up in good heart. I realized that perhaps I wouldn’t have it all my own way when I saw at a handful of useful runners, who are all capable of beating me, also I saw Mike Skinner warming up who is an international runner and ran in the world cross country championships a few months ago.

Race started and as expected Mike skinner disappeared over a hill and I was left pace making for a bunch of runners on my shoulder. For the first time in as while I had the confidence to not panic and started to drop then one by one until I only had one for company, Luckily I managed to drop him at 9k on the last hill to come home 2nd. Sally was having a great race battling for 3rd place unfortunately just missing out with a a short distance to go. She ran a very strong race and was delighted with her performance.

The organization of the event left a little to be desired. At the presentation  there was a mix up with the results and Sally was declared the winner, As she went up to point out that she had actually finished 4th they wouldn’t listen to her just asking why she had come up if she hadn’t won! Eventually it was resolved but the organizer decided to call Sally back up to give her a prize anyway for being honest,but realized that the only things they had left was a plastic Lexus pen! Sally had to stand there while she was presented a plastic pen while the organizer explained the situation over the P.A. system. Sally wasn’t happy.

Mike