Even as the island’s top distance runners by current form, neither could take anything for granted in this third race of the Guernsey Athletics Road Series.
Two weeks after his massive marathon personal best in Barcelona, Weston had talented teenager Jack Rees on his heels, while Petit had to hold off none other than returning Commonwealth Games athlete Sarah Roe.
Runners had the assistance of a moderate tailwind for much of the coastal route from Jaonneuse Bay to the former Quayside site on the Bridge, but it did provide some extra opposition in the already-painful last kilometre.
Guernsey Marathon hopeful Weston came home in 15min. 19sec., having shown that even over this snappier distance he can get the edge on young Rees.
His 18-year-old opponent – the current FNB Cross-Country League Champion – nevertheless clocked a personal best of 15-38.
Recent Orkney 2025 triathlon pick Ethan Woodhead defied an interrupted build-up to finish third and right on the 16min. barrier, 7sec. clear of Island Games runner James Priest as he works his way back to fitness.
In keeping with the series’ age-graded focus, Matt Jamieson finished just behind with an excellent 16-08 run to enter third in the British veteran-45 rankings so far this year.
Newer face Harry Nimmo placed sixth in 16-15, veteran Chris Gillman followed 11sec. later, and Mark Jeffreys posted a PB of 16-33 for eighth while deep into his own marathon build-up.
Another veteran to excel was Simon Ingrouille, whose 17-25 is currently worth fourth in Britain’s annual V55 rankings.
U15 triathlete Freddie Furley (17-49) was another notable age-grouper to beat the 18min. barrier.
Among the women, Petit produced another Games B standard of 18-31 to chip 4sec. off her season’s best from Hyde Park last month.
Playing catch-up after last year’s injury woes, she got out hard and initially put good distance on Roe.
The previous Island Games champion and Commonwealths competitor was racing on the road for the first time since 2023 and after giving birth to daughter Juliette last summer.
After a conservative start, Roe caught the leader on the cruelly-timed hill at Bordeaux and vied for victory.
Petit needed to use her middle-distance speed to finish just ahead, with her decorated rival posting a chip time of 18-32.
‘It was my first time doing the course and it was awesome,’ Petit said.
‘Thanks to all the volunteers for putting on a great event for us all to run so well.
‘I was struggling a bit out there today after a fast start, but my inner competitor came out in the final straight as Sarah moved past me.
‘It was so amazing to see her back on the start line running effortlessly.’
Petit also highlighted the depth of women’s racing – which was up on previous events.
Veteran Sarah Eagles ran 18-55, which puts her seventh on the annual V45 rankings, to duck under 19min. for the first time.
She just got the edge on impressive U15 Grace King, who came near her own PB with an 18-56.
U17 Eleanor Jamieson also impressed with a 19-02 as soon-to-be Games triathlete Lindsay Sword clocked 19-06 – both big PBs.
‘My road season has started well and I am looking forward the EY Easter Festival to continue to show form ahead of the [Orkney 2025] selection meeting,’ Petit added after the previous week’s Island Games A standard at the Eastleigh 10k.
‘However, I feel my strengths lie on the track, so I am looking forward to that season starting.’
The Aztec Track and Field Series begins on Sunday 13 April.
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