Hyde Park Summer Mile

With only an hour until the start gun for the Hyde Park Golden Mile, this race was almost cancelled. The rain was lashing down and it seemed like it would be turning into kayaking race instead. Luckily it stop raining and the night was a go. The race was one mile long and was run in waves, so not a typical run of the mill race. There were around 15 runners in each wave with the first group comprising the slower runners and each group got faster. In order to determine which group ran with, we had to put the predicted time on the entry form to be allocated a slot. I was in group six of seven, Gilly and James were in four.

 With a race thats just one mile, its hard to know how you pace yourself, but my plan was to go from the gun. Hit it hard and see if I was fit enough. Gilly and James did not give away their tactics. But by the looks of their faces at the finish they had put everything in, with a big smile, they seemed happy with how they had done.  Myself. For the whole race I was running on my own. It started well, mostly downhill to help. But as the half way point came, the lactic acid was kicking in and and I was feeling the burn. The last quarter of the race was flat, so everybody was starting to catch me up. As hard as it was though, I held on and managed to win my wave. 
A customary drink at the prize giving and enough home made Chilli and food to sink the hungriest hippo. All this was put on by the great Hyde Park Harriers Club, so thank you to them.
 

 

Mens Winner 4:32secs

 5:07secsStephen - Overall 11th - 

5:09secsGilly - 73rd - 6:32secs

James - 61st - 6:11secs