Running 51:06 [5] 10.9 km (4:41 / km) +450m 3:53 / km
Imra brockagh - 2nd
Dessie K went solo up the fire roads, and at some stage Laura went chasing him, and I ended up in no man's land in front of the main pack mostly.
A lot of small trail, undulating but not all out climb early on, which suited me to get a wee gap before the proper climb. Still 3rd in the steeper single track and out into the heather, but one came by me then, and of course 'perfect-pace Fortune' did too.
Summitted with the other 2 just in front and Laura just behind but Des was way ahead.
Could tell quickly it was a nice bouncy descent and trickiest early on. Let gravity take me, and was moving well, so I moved up quite quickly into 2nd.
Pushed hard on the soft stuff as I know Big Bernard can descend. On the second hill I glanced back saw the gap wasn't massive nor tiny, kicked on and it wasn't a worry.
At some stage I saw Des ahead and could tell I was gaining but he was way in front. Kept going in hope but was never really going to materialise.
Really enjoyed the course in particular the soft bog & grass descent. One of my better results. And always nice to get on Fortune's good side.