15th October 2006
Cabbage Patch 10, Twickenham
I’m always trying to sneak in an interesting race and in this case a weekend with the inlaws put me within striking distance of this 10 mile classic. I tipped off Mike Halman and Sally who also had ample excuse to be in London and we even began to talk about a northern raid on the team prize before working out this would require all 3 under 50 minutes.
The route follows the Thames from Twickenham down to Kingston, all the way back up to Richmond then back round to Twickenham. It is very flat and indeed the UK record of 46:02 was set on this course in 1993 by Richard Nerurkar (not something to worry about unless my 5 mile split was 22-something!). The fast course attracts some elite athletes and it was with some trepidation that Mike and I joined 1500 runners crowding around the start. The last minute news was that 2005 winner Mo Farah had pulled out – maybe he’d seen our Running Bear socks and sprightly warm up strides. Similarly Sally was unfortunately sidelined with calf niggles.
There was some good-natured chaos as the hooter failed and we all false started but with the mob surging behind us there was no turning back and we sprinted off down the high street. After the first rapid mile I was near the front of a large group providing a windbreak for the tiny leading lady. A hundred metres ahead I could see Mike wisely falling off the back of the leading pack as they accelerated away.
The path narrowed over Kingston Bridge and various dog and bike obstacles played a part in thinning out the larger groups. The leaders were already well out of sight. Mike assumed my usual role of pacing the “also rans” half a mile behind. Further back I tried to cling on to the smooth 5.30 pace of the Kenyan ladies. This felt a bit too fast for me and by 4 miles I felt that I had run a 5k race and now it must be time to stop. I eased off slightly and suffered through 5 miles in about 27:35. Flat races seem harder somehow just ploughing away at a constant pace: call it 650-syndrome. However there were plenty of other runners and this kept me going.
Around mile 7 we entered a nice leafy park and I began to get some strength and ambition back moving up to lead the pack along the winding paths gradually closing down the group ahead. We seemed to be permanently running into a breeze and this stiffened as we ran out along a gravel path by the river. After all the flat running the small rise up to the last bridge felt like an Alderley hill rep but we were into the last mile and I was still managing to pick up the odd place.
Mike finished a fine 10th in a PB 53:41 although, as he nearly matched this time with his Macc Half split, there is certainly more to come. I also managed to improve on my PB and was surprised to pick up the V40 prize (there was another vet far ahead who looked “even older than Malcolm”). The prizes included a large cabbage each – thankfully Mike donated these to the hungry of Kingston.
Rob Downs
10 Mike Halman 53:41
20 Rob Downs 56:21 1MV40
Full results at: www.cabbagepatch10.com
Chaotic start. Mike boxed in on the right. Rob in the centre. Sonia O’Sullivan (sun glasses) and winner Simon Kasimili (#5) both just to my right.