Dominic Blake wins Wymondham 20 despite ‘rookie error’ as Rose Waterman sets new personal best as first lady

Runners taking part in the Wymondham 20 make their way through Deopham. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Blake was using event four of the Sportlink Grand Prix series as a training run for the London Marathon next month but cranked up the pace a little too much in the middle of the race before coming home in 1-56:03.

It led to some difficult later miles although he had built up enough of a gap to take the win and follow up his victory at the Ringland Half Marathon earlier this month. Waveney Valley AC's Lee Cook was second in 1-57:02 with Jack Chennell (Higham Harriers) third in 1-58:58.

'I got to seven miles and there was a couple of little downhills and I was doing 5:30s (minutes per mile),' said Blake.

'I stayed with it up to about mile 13 and then I had a bit of a decision to make. I knew if I kept going at 5:30s then I would blow up.

Runners taking part in the Wymondham 20 make their way through Deopham. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

'I was doing 6:00s at the end but I knew that I had a bit of a gap.

'When you're on your own it's harder to judge the pace properly. I guess I am pleased, it's always nice to win the race but it was a rookie mistake.

'I'd rather make it now than in a few weeks' time and you've got to respect the distance a bit more than I did.'

Rose Waterman took victory in the women's category of the Wymondham AC event, crossing the finish line in a new personal best of 2-15:09.

Runners taking part in the Wymondham 20 make their way through Deopham. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

The Tri-Anglia Triathlon Club member, who took victory at the Tarpley 20 in February in 2-15:41, feels in excellent shape going into the London Marathon.

'I felt really strong today,' she said. 'They were really good conditions, I managed to get with a nice group of people and stick with them until 15/16 miles which really helped.

'It was a training run for London but there's no point in doing it if you're not going to race it, especially as I live around here and run around a lot of these roads anyway.

'I tried to push it a bit.'

Runners taking part in the Wymondham 20 make their way through Deopham. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Sabina Spence (Bure Valley Harriers) took second place in 2-26:25 with Jessica Behan (Norwich Road Runners) third in 2-29:16.

Runners taking part in the Wymondham 20 make their way through Deopham. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Runners taking part in the Wymondham 20 make their way through Deopham. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

One of the leaders in the Wymondham 20 at the six miles mark at Deopham. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

The leader in the Wymondham 20 at the six miles mark, Dom Blake, who went on to be the male winner. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Runners taking part in the Wymondham 20. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Runners taking part in the Wymondham 20. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Runners taking part in the Wymondham 20. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Runners taking part in the Wymondham 20. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Runners taking part in the Wymondham 20. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Runners taking part in the Wymondham 20. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Runners taking part in the Wymondham 20. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Runners taking part in the Wymondham 20. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Runners taking part in the Wymondham 20. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Runners taking part in the Wymondham 20. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Runners taking part in the Wymondham 20. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Runners taking part in the Wymondham 20. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Runners taking part in the Wymondham 20. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Rose Waterman (467) in the Wymondham 20. Rose went on to be the female winner. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Runners taking part in the Wymondham 20. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

The start of the Wymondham 20. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)