The winner of the 21.1km race, run for the first time at night, was Mohammed Bilal in the tremendous time of 1:07:25. In second and third places were Michael Ruhe (1:09:08) and Fabian Campanini (1:09:11) respectively, both of CF Puerto de Alicante. The first British runner home was James Reed, running for Altringham and District AC, who finished eighth in a time of 1:12:03.
Saliha Kaldoun, a member of CA Cuevas de Nerja-Uma, was the first woman home in 1:20:35. In second and third places were two British runners, Maria Lowe (1:23:51) of Astley and Tyldesley road runners, and Istead and Ifield harriers' Claire Gaskill (1:27:06).
There should have been three Striders taking part but, unfortunately, Tom succumbed to an injury just before the race (either that or he saw the weather forecast). However Jim and I both braved the conditions. I was very pleased with my time of 1:33:01 (nearly three minutes quicker than 2009), coming eighth (out of 79) in the Vets D category and Jim crossed the line in 1:36:21, in 13th place in the Vets C group.
It was the coldest I'd ever felt after a race but luckily there were foil blankets for everyone available and they were most welcome. However, it is quite a feat trying to take off wringing-wet clobber, put on dry clothing, hang on to your mug 'trophy', keep the blanket wrapped around you and shiver like billy-o at the same time.
A special thank you to Eileen and Ron and Carol who came along to cheer us on, despite the pretty dreadful conditions.