One of my favourite autumn races took place yesterday - the Cabbage Patch 10 miler. I can’t say I did it much justice on very weary post-marathon legs, but as always it was a great run, through Twickenham, Ham and Richmond, along the river and past some rather bemused dog walkers and startling innocent bystanders. Usually, by mid-October, there is a slight snap in the air, and a warm up top clutched until just before the start. This year it was more like summer - I might not have been racing it, but after about two miles I was feeling like I’d got stuck in a sauna.
True to form, the race was won in the sprightly times of 49min 42sec and 54min 46sec. Yes, for 10 miles. I missed the awards ceremony, which is a shame as the look on the winners faces (if they’ve not done it before) when they are presented with an actual cabbage is usually worth staying for. The prize money for this local race is very generous, and the times always impressive - one Mo Farah is a former winner - but my own particular congrats to my teammates Stephen and Nick, who both came in under an hour.
Meanwhile there were races galore happening yesterday - from Amsterdam to Melbourne marathons, and on Saturday the cross country season kicked off, at least for my team. I had an excuse note signed by my youngest, who turned six that day, but I’ve seen the photos - and there is not one drop of mud to be seen. That has to have been one of the warmest cross country races on record ...
So over to you - what did the weekend hold? Come share your triumphant PBs, cabbages or recoveries below the line as always.
