Another cracking race in the Cardingmill valley today. Despite the best efforts of a rain/sleet storm just before the off, it was vest weather today... cool (perhaps even cold) and bright.
A minute slower than last year, but looking at times of those around me it does seem that quite a few were 1-2 mins down... funny that as i don't remember conditions last year being easier... perhaps i'm not quite as fit as this time last year... although did beat some notable 'close rivals' today.
Coventry Godiva brought our first ever full team to a (non relay) fell race, and was a very satisfactory day... Matt Battley won the race (as i suspected he would).... the video-er of the presentation was a little inaccurate in his suggestion that Matt "usually runs on the road".... he's represented New Zealand in the Mountain World Cup/Trophy, done a few fell races, and the OMM Elite several times, and is a top athlete as well as accomplished climber/mountain leader.
Next up myself and the lad who won the under-23 prize... we had a fantastic battle throughout, with me pulling away on the ups and then he redressed the balance elsewhere... hit the final valley track level pegging, and he pipped me by two seconds over that final half mile, both collapsing over the line...
3 of us in the top 20, but still only 4th team... shows the strength of the dedicated fellrunning clubs like Eryri and Mercia...
Great organisation as always, and a great day...
Pete
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