Fordingbridge Fire Station 10
BARRY HARDS was back racing after several weeks out through injury.
The Fordingbridge Fire Station 10 was the scene of Barry’s comeback race where he won the Vet40 category with a time of 1hr 2min 36sec for sixth overall.
"The route was pretty hilly, with two big hills and a number of smaller ones," said Barry. "The last mile was more like 1.25 (I measured it in the car) making the route over 10 miles.
"I ran six-minute miling all the way (including a big hill) to mile 8. Then I lost a minute on the last hill, then another on the long mile to the finish.
"I decided to just enjoy it and run steadily, and finish strong.
"The quality of the field was not high but a lot higher than last year (my time last year would have put me second)."
This was Barry’s first race back since a disastrous Clarendon Marathon. "I fell over and I think I broke my wrist," he said. "It still hurts now. I tore a muscle at the back of my knee."
Despite the setback, Barry was pleased to be racing again and added: "I am quite pleased with my Fordingbridge time. I am going to try and race a bit more this winter, than I have over the last few years."