Green grass of home fell race

Race: Green grass of home fell race, short course! (4m/1500ft/AS)
Time/Position: 36:39 (8th [1st v40])
An unusual race this, as the first 23 runners (including me) failed to complete the full course. This particular race changes its route every year, although I've only done it once before as it usually clashes with my holiday. This year, we started up the track from Llangynhafal to the ridge at Dywyll, down towards Cilcain then along the runnable contouring track used by the Lletty race to Pwll y Rhos. From here, it's a steepish but still runnable pull to the top of Moel Famau. Perhaps unsurprisingly, I felt fine on the climbs, going over the top in 5th or 6th, but lost ground on the flat and the descents - no speedwork or races for several weeks. After the mountain bike descent, we branched off for the final climb but were all guilty of following the man in front (inevitable at this stage in the race?) and all missed the tape sending us back up the ridge! It took a while for the penny to drop, and led to bizarre scenes as there was a huge gap between the first 23 runners on the short (or cheats!) course and the 44 who finished the full course: we ended up with results for two separate races. So I don't feel that my first vet placing was really valid this time!