Relief from the wind came at around 5 miles when the outskirts of Wellingore were reached, and the course turns southwards. Suddenly you are running with a totally different style with the wind on your back. Looking out over the ridge would have been nice had it not then started to snow, but although plentiful, the flakes were light and no real impediment.

As in last year's race, Anthony Gerundini arrived late and gave everyone a head start. The first significant number of runners were caught at around 2 miles. Jim Diamond was doing well not to veer off and crash into the hedge as it’s the first time he has been seen running without a guide. But 167th place (top half) and a sub 1h50mins time was good in these conditions, and not so far off his norm. Out for a bimble as usual, Brian Fox was caught slacking at around half way, muttering something about a skinful last night. There was no excuse as he had perfect aerodynamics in carefully honed body shape and the finishing touch of a shiny head (brave in these temperatures). He did pick up the pace after this point and significantly made up a lot of places in the latter stages to finish more creditably 48th in 1h34m58s. Steve Campion was next to be picked off with about 3 miles to go, but could not respond, eventually finishing just in front of Brian in 45th place and 1h34m40s. Anthony Gerundini was placed 39th in 1h32m48, but was quite pleased that he would have come further up the field if he had started on time, especially given a six hour bike ride to Hertfordshire the day before (like you do).

Top Lincoln honours were fought out by the evergreen super vets Barry Carey and John Holmes. Most people have no chance of running 1h30m into their fifties, so these two runners are quite exceptional, finishing 2nd and 3rd in the 50+ age group category. Barry finished 29th overall in 1h30m32s, beaten by just 24 seconds by John who was 26th and 1h30m08s. The mens team finished fourth overall.

So the ladies didn’t figure prominently? Wrong!!  Lincoln Wellington ladies claimed the first team prize. Well done Millie Lepic, Rebecca Wilkinson and Jane Ramsden for their well earned sub 2hr times of 1:52:51, 1:55:08 and 1:59:10 respectively. This was a good PB for Jane and sets her up well for the London Marathon in April.  Tail gunners were young Mia Haywood (284th) with 2:06:49, Shirley Devlin (303rd) in 2:14:03, closely followed by Alison Dale (306th) with 2:15:40. Pat Kimpton finished 325th with 2:25:47 after having walked the length of the slippery mud track.

Female Teams
1st Lincoln Wellington - 662 (M Lepic 197th, R Wilkinson 216th, J Ramsden 249th)

Male Teams
4th Lincoln Wellington - 94 (J Holmes 26th, B Carey 29th, A Gerundini 39th)