I set out planning a 7:30 pace, which is probably pretty close to what I did if the time to get out of the crowd is taken in to account. I listed net time here, so it is minus the few seconds to get to the start though.

Even despite the crowd, my first two miles were on target, finishing mile 2 at 14:51. The third mile was slightly uphill and in to the wind. I was also caught behind a guy with a dog that kept moving around so I couldn't get around them. Still, I can't fully account for why my time turned out to be 8:22 on this mile. All these factors, plus inattention and lack of familiarity still with my pace I guess. Anyway, I picked it up at the 3mile mark and finished the 4th mile in a surprisingly fast 7:06 (but it was slightly down hill with the wind at my back). I forgot to hit my stop watch at the finish, so I don't have a time for the last mile but I think it was probably right around 7:30.

With about 100y to go, a young woman came surging by on my right to sprint to the finish. At first, I just let her go, but then another woman came by behind her too and I thought "OK then, if you all want to sprint" and opened up right at the end for 5 big strides to pass them both. I passed the first in about two strides and I pipped the other right at the line. I don't think she even realized that I was there until she saw my foot step out about an inch ahead of her. Brutal, I know... but she challenged the sprint first.

The fact that I still had that jump suggests that I'll really need to be doing a harder pace than this in the two 5k's I have coming up.

I ended up finishing 37th out of 770 women.

Been more consistent/paid attention so my time didn't fall off on that third mile.