Kilburn 7

 The Kilburn 7 mile and a bit.

  First of all I would like to repeat this years organisers words and pay respect and remember Stuart Pailor who helped run the Kilburn 7 for many years as well as all the other work he did in the running world.

   The weather was perfect for running once again, ok it was a little bit sunny but compared to other years it definitely wasn't too hot. I had plenty of rivals that had turned up so I knew it was going to be a tough day of racing around the undulating course but I was looking forward to the challenge and keen to get started.
   The race got underway and believe it or not I opted with the fast start but this time I was joined in the action with Peter Baker City of Hulll and not only did he join me the cheeky so and so also took the lead. With around half a mile completed Tristan Learoyd moved up a gear and came flying past us to take over the lead. The first climb just after the mile marker was interesting as I managed to catch and pass Baker which goes to show my uphill training must be working, obviously not enough though as Mike Jefferies Richmond Zetland came past to take the second place as we crested the hill. Baker didn't like me being in front of him one bit because every time I managed to get in front of him which wasn't often he was back past me within seconds after that. Smithers of Knavesmire came past us at some point but I was so focused with the battle with Baker that I can't even remember exactly where he passed us. Just before Oldstead which was around the five mile point I managed to get ahead of Baker up another energy sapping short climb and then as I made my way through the village I could hear Baker coming again, strangely though it wasn't Baker but in fact it was Mark Hall Otley AC I didn't see that coming. So back to fifth it was for the umpteenth time. I worked my socks off trying to catch Hall but the ten second or so gap between us remained that way all the way to the finishing line. Fifth it was then for me in 42 minutes 07 seconds. I beat some rivals and got beat by others but it was another awesome day of racing and a great battle to remember with that guy Baker who finished sixth. Learoyd went on to take the victory in 39 minutes 47 seconds and also took home the new Stuart Pailor memorial trophy. After knowing Stuart for many years through running I would be highly honoured to get my name on that Trophy. With Learoyd getting a free entry next year I had better find some serious out of this world form if I'm going to try and give him some competition never mind beat him.