Race Report: Runthrough 10k Derby

I'll start with the negative of the event - far too congested on the 2nd lap due to the 5km runners (not their fault) more the organisers fault. There was an out and back which led to the 'competitive d*ckheads' running head on at each other at various points. Yes I was guilty of that, but never at the detriment of other runners. At the end of the day this was somebody's 5k/10k/half chance at a PB and we respect them for that. 

I knew Alan Cook was going to there and we enjoyed a short warm up. On my second warm up I bumped into Iyan Bunhejee and we played 'let's find Ryan's car because he had no idea where he'd park.' Twice. 

As for the run, I went out thinking don't go too hard, relax, play the game. Ignoring the first mile I was fine, the next 2 or 3 I was good and pepper potted between 4th/5th. It was a 2 lapper with the 5km starting 15 minutes after the 10km. On the 2nd lap I hit big traffic. The 5km/10km/half all used the same route and it was carnage towards the out and back. I think I lost about 30 seconds and more weaving in and out runners. No blame on runners, more the organisation. 

I manged a 4th place overall, 1st V40 after raising  a steward's enquiry because I was missed off the live timing. It happens. A good event and well organised but I have reservations over whether it needs a 5km or not. As a wise man said, it's an event that has outgrown the venue. Credit to Alan and Iyan who I believe both had PB's at the distance. 

Ryan Stocks