Some cracking performances at the Wyvern Christmas Cracker 10k!

On Sunday 9th December there were 4 Harriers making their way up the M5 to Weston-Super-Mare (love that name!) to take part in the Weston AC organised 'Wyvern Christmas Cracker 10k'. Sometimes just referred to as the Weston 10k, this is an extremely popular race and each year the 2000 places sell out far in advance of the race. Cathy Newman, Berihu Tesfay and Mike Musgrove had already signed up long ago, but a last minute place, courtesy of Cathy's brother who couldn't run, came available and was generously offered to and eagerly accepted by me, Ellie.

The race is almost entirely flat but half of it is run on the vast expanse of beach at Weston, which slightly slows the times. Also, this year, there was a truly ferocious wind blowing in off the sea. Luckily for the stretch along the beach, it was a side wind, but it was still debilitating to your average speed, and on the occasions when you turned into it head on, it was like hitting a brick wall.

The performance of the day undoubtedly goes to Mike who had an absolute "cracker"! He felt strong throughout, despite the blustery conditions, and he ran himself into 7th place overall (out of 1605 finishers!) in a chip time of 36:01. This is only 8 seconds outside of his PB, so, given an all tarmac surface and less wind, he would likely have obliterated his 10k time by about a minute. He was also a comfortable winner in the MV40 category and picked up a silver tray and a Mizuno shoe voucher for his stellar performance.

Berihu was using the race as a fast leg stretch and tempo run and not aiming to go all out as he is still taking things steady after a calf strain last month. He ran with eventual 4th placer, Pete Monaghan of Torbay AC, for a while, before settling into a steady rhythm and eventually crossing the line in 5th place in a time of 35:26.

Cathy and I started off running shoulder to shoulder for the first mile and both of us were looking for a good race, having been so closely matched at the XC the previous week. After about a mile though, Cathy drifted off the pace and I didn't look around to see where she was, expecting her to be there within striking distance, until the final turn for the finish, when I was surprised not to see her behind me. It turns out she was starting with a cough and a cold and she had difficulties clearing her throat and this effected her breathing, she even had to completely stop at one stage to clear her throat, but it never came right the whole race. So in the end she finished in a time of 45:59 - apparently a PW, even eclipsing the time she set for 10k at 7000ft of altitude in Eithiopia. Poor Cathy had targeted this race to get under 40 minutes before the end of the year, having narrowly missed out by 2 seconds at the Dartmoor Vale 10k in October. And she was certainly on form and more than capable of it had she been fit and well. Bad timing of a cold and the run meant that Cathy had a day at the office that she'd rather forget. But we know it's only a matter of time and finding the right course before she gets well under 40 minutes again.

I was very relaxed about this race, having raced the previous day I had no expectations on myself and was just viewing the race as a bonus and aiming to enjoy it. And enjoy it I did! It felt like the time flew past and I never got to that point that I almost always get to in every race, the 'why the hell am I doing this?' point! I felt comfortable throughout and so was pleasantly surprised to duck in under 39 mins, 38:55, and to sneak the 3rd spot in the female race and 18th overall.

The organisation of this race is second to none and the atmosphere is superb. The motto of the race is: no tinsel, no time, and every runner is asked to either wear fancy dress (it was in fact Santa who came 2nd in the race!) or to at least wear a token piece of tinsel. All of us would highly recommend this race for someone looking for a fun, fast, flat 10k to round off the year!

Mike (1st MV40) and Ellie (3rd female) with our prizes