Stromlo Stomp - ACT Veterans Mtn Running Champs

Today:
Distance: Race - 10.5 km plus warm up & warm down
Time: 54' 25"
Rate: 5' 11" per km
Result: 3rd in age group
Weather: very warm again, temp 22-26 degrees, humidity 30%, wind calm
Week: 13.2 km
Feb: 103.0 km
Year: 536.35 km

The venue for today's veterans mountain running championships is the new running, cycling and mountain biking facility at Stromlo Forest Park. Created out of the devastation of our bush fires a few years ago, the government spent plenty of dollars to create a world class facility. Late last year a round of the mountain bike world cup was held here, and today, the grass cross country track was being used for the selection trial for Aussie athletes to go to the cross country world champs.
Mountain runners like the rougher off road than the manicured grass track, so we were to race up Mt Stromlo, over the back on a loop, and back to finish near the main parking area. A record field of over 40 runners for the ACT vet's championships lined up at 6:30 this morning. Very sensible to get the event over and done early, were are having another very hot day, top temp again near 40 degrees.
I started mid pack, a long 3.2 km all up hill to the top of the mountain to start the race. As well, several very good runners in my age group meant no chance of 1st or 2nd. Too strong and too fast.
Good early running, no residual problems after 30 km on Mt Rob Roy. Stayed with Mick and Nick to the top, Nick charged on at the drink station, Mick slowed to drink as I continued on after a sip of water.
Fast off the top until the track deteriorated from good gravel to rocky and technical and slow. Care taken not to trip and fall. Running well until and big climb about half way on this loop that finishes back at the drink station on top of the mountain. The up hill had started as I slowly gained on Nick in front, who luckily for me put in few walking paces near the top.
Close together after a drink but he much better speed than me on the down, passing me with just over a km to go. Not far behind at the finish, maybe 30 metres. A good solid run, very happy to finish 23rd overall, 3rd in age group behind Trevor Jacobs and Peter Clarke. Prize, bottle of wine, bragging rights for 24 hours. After that, yesterday's news.
CJ finished a few minutes later, another good run from the iron lady, as well backing up from yesterday on Mt Rob Roy. Mick seemed to struggle, maybe the heat, maybe not quite recovered.
Easy run tomorrow, rest day Tuesday, massage at 10:00 am. Looking forward to that, the legs are on their last legs.