Cambodia's Next Top Runner - Event 6 - 2.73km

photos courtesy of Martin Kendrik

Another track closure forces CNTR to incorporate stadium race into competition

Runners closely bunched at the start of the race

This Sunday we prepared for event 6 in the series of CNTR 2020 races, which was due to be the 3000m race on the track. However, we discovered early in the morning that the stadium was shut in preparation for an international club football match two days hence, so we quickly had to improvise and work out an alternative race plan for the group of athletes already waiting and warming up.

Watch the full video of how the event went down here

You can see all the photos from the event on our Facebook page

After successfully measuring out the requisite starting point for a 3000m course using the stadium’s perimeter pedestrianised track we gathered the athletes and explained the situation. In fact we had two options: (1) do a 3000m race which would mean relocating athletes and equipment to a slightly awkwardly located starting point and associated logistical headaches for timing and recording the race, or (2) take a slightly more straightforward option and run exactly two laps of the outer track for a non-standard race distance of 2.73km, keeping things simple for athletes and our redoubtable crew of volunteers while also reducing the likelihood of technical issues.

The organising team and athletes were happy to go for the second option, and this also meant that, in spite of just four CNTR athletes being present, since several other participants had already posted times for the same 2 lap course two weeks prior, we could use the day’s race to complete event 6 without further delay by substituting the planned 3000m track race with the 2 lap stadium race.

Bianchi setting a new course lap record

Runners evenly matched the whole way

One lap around the stadium is just over 1.36 kilometres (giving a two lap distance of 2.73 km) and is in most part a very smooth and clean tarmac surface though there are a few obstacles, including other people exercising, a section of hard gravely concrete to the West of the stadium, two tight corners by the tennis compound, some drainage holes and the occasional construction vehicle or errant private car. Despite the start being somewhat delayed and the sun quickly rising in the sky, the weather was slightly overcast with a gentle breeze allowing for good running conditions. The athletes would complete a minimum of two qualifying laps to register a time for event 6 of the CNTR competition. Athletes would have the option to go for a third lap if they were feeling especially strong.

Athletes ready to go at the start line

The race In total, eleven athletes lined up to race 2 or 3 laps around the Olympic Stadium’s pedestrianised outer track. The fastest runner completing 2 laps was Neil Bianchi with a time of 9:16 with Meyjou Heng and Jacob Hodges slotting in just behind in 9:54 and 11:07 respectively while both continuing running to complete three laps. Overall, including all guest athletes, we had two under 10 minutes and a further five under 12 minutes. Special mention to Jeremy Prost who improved on his time from two weeks ago by 34 seconds which goes to show if you keep just running and racing regularly you will see you your times start to improve little by little. The top runner completing 3 laps was Meyjou Heng with a time of 16:59, followed by Jacob Hodges in 17:03 and guest athlete Elaine Lee in third in 18:10. With Kheang Por and Kimkheang Heng completing the line-up of five three-lap finishers in total.

Here are the CNTR competitor results, combine the 2 stadium run heats

This is what the overall standings look like now

These are the full results from all runners in today's event

The fastest single lap was also by Neil in a quick time of 4:31, followed by Jacob, Meyjou and Paul Hodges in fourth, all running sub-4:00/km pace - some really strong running all round by the CNTR competitors!

This is the current overall rankings of fastest stadium lap

Getting CNTR back on track With possible further closures of the track in the future, we were obliged to make a decision to get Event 6 done and out of the way so that we could focus on preparing the conclusion of the CNTR 2020 competition with the least additional delay. This meant that this week’s 2 lap stadium race would be combined with the results of the first stadium race on 9th February and the times of the eight CNTR participants used to determine the overall result for Event 6. Not ideal, but with time running out and athletes and organisers having many other commitments, the competition needs to be concluded as quickly as possible. See what happened in the first 2 lap stadium race here. In summary, with a single lap record and a strong time of 9:16, overall leader Neil pipped Bunthorn to first place by just four seconds. Jacob was a comfortable third overall with Martin easing to fourth place followed by Meyjou in fifth and top female competitor. In the overall standings Neil extends his lead by twenty points with the two sprint races remaining. Jacob cements third position and Martin moves just behind Loup Colombi who despite missing two events remains in fourth position. We’d like to extend a very warm welcome to newcomers Yin Ling, Sopheak, Puthpagna and Kheang - we hope you enjoyed this morning's event, and hope to see you all again soon and a final thanks to all the helpers without whom this event would not be possible and for helping us organise another fun event. See you all at the next event!