Festival of Speed Part I – 3km Road Race (PPAC-70)

Our first 3km road race in six weeks kicked off part 1 of 3 of the Festival of Speed, a new mini-competition that encompasses middle and long distance with a 3km, 5km and 1500m road race. Points will be awarded based on finishing position in various categories on a 20-down-to-1 points ladder rewarding the top 14 finishers, with all participants from 15th place onward receiving one point. For a chance to be ranked among the best of all, athletes will have to compete in all three events of the festival!

The first event was held as separate senior and youth heats departing thirty minutes apart with 15 and 12 participants respectively in each race. The senior race saw some strong performances with twelve athletes coming in well under 13 minutes, including seven under 12 minutes and four PBs for athletes with previously recorded times including big improvements of 49 seconds and 1:18 for Hugo and Leonardo respectively. The top 10 places were shared equally among Cambodian and non-Cambodian athletes.

In the youth event there were PBs for all the participants including four for athletes who have previously completed a PPAC 3km road race. Sreyleap knocked 52 seconds off her previous time while placing first in category (and scoring a a new PPAC Points PB), Senglim was faster by 1:16 for third in category and Sivmey and Thkolmeas ran quicker by very wide margins, of 3:09 and 3:33 respectively, compared with their previous attempts at the distance! Well done to all the youth runners, seven of whom finished under 25 minutes, and all well under 30 minutes.

Overall nine athletes completed a 3km PPAC race for the first time and eight with previous 3km times scored PBs. Ten athletes also recorded their fastest ever Sokha Lap, with Meyjou scoring a new all-time female record of 8:47, Muyngim going under 9 minutes for the first time and Hugo beating his PB by a single second. Matt topped the consistency rankings again, helping him to a 24 second, sub-12 minute PB, followed by Jack and Hugo who were both top-5 finishers in their category.

In the fitness factor ratings, newcomer Vannak topped the table with his performance garnering a strong mid-60s rating of 63.71, well ahead of 60+ scoring Matt in second. Six athletes scored over 55, and twelve over 50.

Thanks to our super helpers, Seavleang, Sivmuyleang and Socheata and join us next time for Part II of the Festival of Speed.

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