Busy start and first mile 7.11, felt very comfortable. Decided I would push a little and next mile 6.52. Fairly breezy (24kph) so whilst very flat (24m elevation for whole thing) not that easy to keep steady pace. Feeling very good and passing a lot so maintained the effort but eased back a tad as I didn't know if I would blow up later, next mile 7.01. Heading back now for the end of the first loop, next mile 7.02. Halfway point coming and heading into the village, quite a few in the near distance and I am slowly catching them so put some effort in to catch and pass, 7.00. Heading back out and still slowly catching, wondering if I am overcooking as I still feel ok so put a bit of effort to pass a few more, 6.51 for mile 6. Starting to hurt a bit but everyone else struggling more than me, 6.53 three miles left almost at turnaround point. Some that I have passed are still on my heels and there is one more guy ahead (well quite a few more but not near!) so try to keep up the pace 7.02, starting to fade. Two miles left. There is one guy that is catchable and he looks old, could be in my age group, 50m ahead and very very slowly catching him, can still hear pounding behind me, 7.14 as I hit one mile to go, last big push. Slight incline into village and I take 10m out of him, 600m to go and I am right behind him, this is hurting really badly! Onto his shoulder at 400m to go, he looks across and says "are you 60?" I reply "53 but feel like 70" he says "good that means I can take it easy"
The spectators are cheering on named people 5-10 seconds after I pass them so know there are a few right behind me. Into the finish stretch and keep pushing, final "mile" 5.47. Total 1.08.50.
I reckon the last mile was 250m short which is disappointing, still think I would have got under the 1.10 though (pace for last 1.35k was 4.18)
Overall I am well pleased, came about 45 out of 230 odd.
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