We're back from Falkirk now, it was a good trip and race, I finished 5th in the M40 and Sian finished 3rd in the W45.

Dave Taylor and Darren Bilton ran away from everybody else, much as expected, it was a very tight battle, with Darren ahead at one point on the last lap, but Dave just won out in the final stages. Steve Male made the most of his chance in the team, winning the Bronze medal after another close battle with the leading Irish runner, Mick Traynor. I was almost 20 seconds behind them, followed by Dan M. and Alec W. Julian Critchlow won the M45 - by only 6 seconds from Pete Hockin, with Clive B. only 5 seconds back in third.

The race was 8K this year, a bit short for Rod J. who finished 19th, heading the Welsh challenge, with Ritchie Bullen next in 25th - apologies for missing that Ritchie was second vet at the Bath Gwent last week.

Sian was up against some good competition this year, Jane Clarke finished strongly to win the W45 and  finish 4th in the race overall. Fiona Mathieson was well positioned throughout the race and finished a safe second.  Sian was getting closer to second, ending up 3rd by only 4 secs. Niamh O'Sullivan was the overall winner by more than 30secs, Nicki Nealon just beat Margaret Deasy to the line for 2nd - with Jane Clarke only 2 secs back.

The 8K course made racing very fast this year, and the ground was good in places but very heavy in others. I don't think I handled it well, I almost jogged through the last slippery turn and then the boys were right behind me, but after that it was good fast path, more my style. I didn't make a very good attempt at staying with Steve and the Irish lad, let's hope I'm a bit more committed next week.

...and then there was the dinner dance ... I'm not quite sure how many pairs of shorts have ended up outside their home country, nor am I convinced that all the Bristolians got to bed last night  - well before the 08.00 run.