Round the Walls race

Race: Chester Round the Walls (5k)
Time/Position: 17:58 (17th from 425 [1st V40])
Another weather-related shortening of this famous and long-running (40+ years) local event. But, unlike two years ago, at least the walls themselves were included today: it was the waterlogged Roodee that had to be cut out. It all made for a very efficient outing, driving across from St Asaph in the morning, cutting it fine to do the race, leaving the whole afternoon for eating and drinking. The race itself was really enjoyable, round the back of the Roodee, along the Dee path, before getting on to the Walls at Lower Bridge Street. Pace obviously high from the off, so I tried to keep pace with Adair and a few others past the Clock Tower and Cathedral. I made up a bit of ground on the gentle climb up the narrowest section of the walls to Northgate, then took a couple of runners just after the final steep steps back to the racecourse. The race attracts runners from all over the country, so I was surprised (and fortunate) to find that I was first V40 when the results came out.