Well before I started running, just remember being told it in the pub a few years ago.
Mark Roberts was telling RhysFR (the previous year's winner in 3:45ish) that he was 4th in 3:25ish in 2000. A discussion about runner quality vs. depth of competition to push towards these record times was in the offing, but everyone was too pissed so it stopped at 'you younguns are just slow'