The Last Chance 10K lived up to its fast race reputation as the weather lifted and Kevin H. arrived in Exeter. I finished second in 32.11 - the same time as 12 months ago, and given the conditions a good run.

The race got away to the customary fast start, with about half a dozen athletes keeping up with Kevin for the first kilometer. Kevin ran 30.31, he was on his own for 9K - it wasn't long before he made his way into a big lead. That left a good chasing group; Mark C. is based in Exeter, and after running both Clevedon and Last Chance he'll soon be fitter!! Ashley Humphries was there - I battled with him at Clevedon 2005. I'm older than anybody else who was at the front - so I expected things would slow down after the first few K, the pace eased a little, but it was much much tougher than I expected.

The leaders start lapping runners on the second lap, and it's difficult to work out what is going on (Kevin was completely out of sight), thankfully by then I had built up a small gap. Emerging from the lapped runners I finished over a minute and a half behind Kevin, but with 22 secs to third place. There is no question that Kevin is now a class act.

Ashley finished third in 32.33 and Mark was fourth in 32.48. Close behind Bitton's Mike Blackmore was 7th and the MOD's Andy Longthorpe 10th. (Link to full results)

Sian fiound herself in the middle of a classy field. Jo Brewer, based at Exter Uni, looked very fast winning in 35.53, and Cathy Newman (an ex-Exeter student) was third. Sian finished 5th in 37.52 - another time usually good enough to win.

Lastly thanks to the organisers for sorting out our entries, and chatting to a few people, there is clearly some interest in the South West Counties XC Champs down at Exmouth next week.