Why race anyplace else?
An in-form Larry Marshall coasted to victory in the Lindo's to Lindo's 10K road race yesterday, over 90 seconds ahead of his nearest rival Evan Naude from South Africa.
On a humid morning where many of the strong runners in the field struggled to meet their anticipated times because of the oppressive conditions, Marshall was a class apart ? although even he was slightly disappointed afterwards with his 32 minutes 42 seconds finishing time.
"I had actually set out to run under 32 minutes," he said afterwards.
"I felt pretty good. I was trying to stay as focused as I could and make sure I was hitting my splits. Some times I get mental lapses when I'm racing and I kind of ease up more than I should. And I think on miles two and four today I definitely lost focus and that's why I didn't run the time I was hoping for. But overall I'm in pretty good shape at the moment as well as being injury free, which is the most important thing."
In second place, Naude recorded a time of 34.27 while in third was Ricky Sousa in 36.30.
In the women's race meanwhile, a clearly exhausted Alison Harvey triumphed in a time of 42.26.
She admitted afterwards that she had over-exerted herself in the race's early stages and had needed the help and encouragement of one of her regular male running partners to keep going.
"It was incredibly humid ? which is probably the first time it has been like this all year," she said.
"I went out far too fast and by mile two I was asking myself whether I should just sneak off home! But luckily I had some good support from a friend of mine who I train with regularly and he really helped me as the race went on, particularly on the hills. The time was disappointing really but after a start like that I'm just glad to have got through it."
In second place was Rosa Peichoto in 42.39, followed by Laura Keys in 44.01.
A total of 157 runners and 209 walkers took part in the popular annual race organised by the Mid Atlantic Athletic Club.