Graham Lake goes on holiday:

Coincidentally (yeah right) there was a 10k trail race near the second campsite on our summer holiday in Devon. After a week of substance abuse (those substances being pasties, pints of Tribute and cream teas) my hopes weren’t high.

The course was a loop along the banks of the river Dart from a leisure centre in Totnes. Warm up was a one-mile fun run with the girls, Martha’s hands in the air for final 50m a particular highlight.

Quick chat with chap from Wetherby at start line (Rob Gray, V50 beat me by miles) and we were off along the riverbank in scorching heat. Luckily there was plenty of woodland for shade but I felt pretty rubbish and got passed by plenty of runners.

About halfway I started to feel better as the trail headed up in to some woods and I started to pick up some places. The playing fields were soon in sight and a lovely grandstand finish with an exuberant announcer saw me finish in 41:58 in 31st place. Some good runners so pretty chuffed with that.

Now, back to that Tribute.

The winner was Tom Merson (Exmouth Harrier) in 33:55 and the first lady in 50th place was Michelle Moore (South Devon AC) in 43:55. Full results.