In one of the first organised races within the UK since the COVID-19 restrictions were eased and also the formation of Western Tempo, it was great to see Dom James and Dan Owen travel to Milton Keynes to race in the MK5000 around the scenic Willen Lake.
The meticulously planned event saw athletes setting off in groups of 10, with a wave every 5 minutes. Starting in different waves, they both passed through 3k in under 9 minutes, but on a twisting course, in blustering winds (gusting at upto 42kph), the time slipped away from both slightly in the final 2k and they finished in 15:13 and 15:17 respectively.
Dom came home in 49th place while Dom finished just in front in 51st, in a highly competitive and very well organised race, by Elliot Hind and his awesome team at Marshall Milton Keynes AC. In testing conditions, both will be satisfied with their performances on the day.
So good to see them back in the mix within a real race and despite a lack of race sharpness, it was well worth the journey. Having not raced for so long (especially Dan who has been without racing for 14 months, after sustaining a stress fracture in a steeplechase race last year) – they will appreciate the novelty of being able to race again whilst also ‘blowing away the cobwebs’.
All we need now, is a full winter season...
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