Wakefield 10k - Out and Back - New V40 P.B.

It's early April and that time again for the annual Wakefield Hospice 10k Road Race, organised by Wakefield Harriers. There was a large turnout for this years race, with a healthy mix of runners running for fun and club runners. Each year they seem to change the course and this year it has been changed to an out and back one. I think they have got it right this year and they have probably copied the format from the Leeds Abbey Dash and Dewsbury 10k, which have proved massively popular, thus raising large amounts of money for good causes.
The conditions were perfect for running, sunny and cool with very little breeze. Amongst the line up at the front(of those I recognised), were: Andrew Pearson(longwood), Carl Thackery(Hallamshire, now V45). There was also Kevin Ogden(Spen), Ricky South(Holmfirth), Andy Whitworth(Meltham), Paul Hallas(Wakefield), and long time no see Duncan Clark(Abbey Runners). The race started on a slight downhill which doesn't suit me as I prefer to start steady whilst not loosing too much sight of the front runners. The race started at the Lawefield Road end of Thornes Park and turned left up Horbury Road to the 5k mark and back down again. As expected Andrew Pearson from Longwood took the lead early on. On the returning 5k he had at least a minute on second place and showing no signs of fading. My battle was between Kevin Ogden from Spen and Ricky South from Holmfirth. I was also aware of Paul Hallas and Andy Whitworth not been too far behind. Me and Kevin Ogden were stride for stride up until about the 8k point. He looked easy and the high mileage weeks, in training for the London Marathon, paid off for him in the final stages of the race. Having caught Ricky South up from having a 20 second lead I thought I would beat him to the line. He seemed to pip me at the finish, and although the results show that I beat him I think they are wrong(Sorry Ricky). I finished in 34-56 and first V40, the first time I have broken 35 mins for 10k(as a V40). There's also no way I can ease back on the training or take an extra day off. With plenty of runners of V45 still regularly breaking 33mins it's no end to the training !