Running race 40:50 [3] 11.7 km (3:29 / km) +230m 3:11 / km
shoes: Asics Hyper LD#2
English National XC.
Rubbish start as it was uphill and I didn't want to pop my cork too soon but meant I was almost walking around the first bend. Would love to know what position I was in, maybe 500? Worked through for the first lap, passing a few Highgate guys so knew I was at least in the scoring team.
On the downhill at the end of the lap caught first glimpse of Coombs about 20 places/50m ahead. Spent the next 2km reeling him in then we worked up the hill together, passing folk all the way. After that he dropped off my shoulder and as I was moving relatively well and passing people I assumed I'd got rid of him. Not so! Bottom of the final climb he reappears at my heels! Worked hard up the climb but not maxed out and we turned together with a bunch just ahead. I had a bit more over the last 400 and held on to the bragging rights - 6s and 9 places ahead of him.
And that's how the battle for 161st place was won.