Second year running this race and I knew I'd PR it, just didn't know what I could shoot for. Given this is more of a C priority event and I was coming in on a full training load I knew I'd have to leave some on the table. Nevertheless, I felt I could go sub 30 on this day.

Lined up a few rows back from the start (mistake) and worked my way around a few slower people by the first turn. At this point I was feeling pretty ok but my legs were already letting me know they weren't fresh. Pushing through the first mile I saw 5:10 on my watch and woah Nelly! It felt good but I knew that was way too fast so I tried turning it down a little. I'd come into the race targeting a 5:50 pace and foolishly decided during the race to see if I could hold 5:30s. Yeah that turned out to be a mistake.

Wound through town and out and finally hit the turn to head south on Hayden. By the three mile mark my legs were fried and I was now into hold on for dear life mode. I'd passed the lead female around the 2 mile mark but I could hear her hanging right onto my heels...I was the rabbit. By the turn onto Osbourne I didn't really have a rabbit myself and my concentration began to lapse and I was shedding speed. Rolling into the second and last aid station at mile 4 I heard them cheering someone on just behind me and knew I needed to turn it up or risk being caught. Tried stepping on the gas a little bit and it managed to work. With half mile left I finally caught a glimpse of the guy in front of me and I seemed to be making ground on him, finally had my rabbit. Unfortunately there just wasn't enough real estate left and I finished a few seconds back.

I went out too hard on this one, mostly because I didn't have a decent idea of what I could do on an 8k. I think if I was fresh and rested I could have held on to it but not today. Should have went out more around my 5:40 target and ran that throughout.

Waited around for several friends, stayed to pick up my AG award and then went to the tavern for beers.


Concrete training legs (typical triathlete excuse right?) and going out too fast.


This race was purely gun timed, had it been chip timed I would have got my sub 30. Regardless, I'm happy with my effort.

I can't say how much I enjoy this race. It's just enough novelty race in that it runs through town at night but it's not over board boutique race like a neon run or similar that I cannot stand. The organizers do a great job and it's a blast to run. Looking forward to next year and hopefully being in that lead out group the entire time.