The varsity races only have 2 competitors from each team so, even with the B race competitors, there were only 8 in the race.  This leaves little opportunity to sit in with the crowd during the early stages of the race.  Fortunately, the race pace was picked up early by James Kelly of Cambridge, allowing Ian to tuck in behind him and follow at slightly under 72s lap pace.  As the race progressed, it was clear that the Cambridge tactic was to run the legs off the Oxford runners.  From about the fourth lap onwards, it was left to Ian to stay with Kelly as the other runners fell back.

The pace continued relentlessly at 15 minute pace until just before the bell when Ian struck and went past Kelly.  The final 400m was run by two tired but very determined athletes who were going flat out to beat the other.  With about 80m to go Kelly came back past Ian but Ian was not going to allow that to happen and fought back to cross the line first by 0.12s.  The final lap was run in 61.7s and both runners set new PBs with Ian achieving 14m 45.20s, smashing his previous PB by 22s and just 0.6s behind the LWAC club record.  This made up for the BUSA race and sets up a good needle match for the Varsity Cross Country race in December as Ian is Oxford XC captain and Kelly is his Cambridge equivalent.

The race was easily the most exciting of the day, and Ian received the Le Touquet Trophy for the most improved performance of the meeting.  The day was successful for Oxford overall, beating Cambridge in the mens and womens Blues matches.  Ian was later rewarded with a full athletics Blue, along with the men's and women's Oxford captains and Garrett Johnson, a world class thrower.

Ian dipping at the finish line