Although they were not among the flurry of athletes setting personal bests in the four 5,000m heats at Footes Lane, amid ideal conditions and a festival atmosphere, their performances played into comeback narratives.
Long-term great Dawes bounced back strongly from persistent injury troubles for a second win in just two races this year, while Guernsey 2023 medallist Petit put behind her a season’s worst at last weekend’s ‘Southerns’ and showed that she is back around her best-ever shape.
The former had one very worthy rival to overcome – U20 Jack Rees.
As the fastest entrant on season’s best for 5km, Rees took the initiative to lead his veteran rival, though sticking to a relatively controlled 3-15 pace.
Dawes took it on briefly around the mile mark, but neither he nor the young FNB Cross-Country League champion could gain a significant lead on the other.
Ultimately, Dawes struck decisively on the final lap, hitting the bell a close second but kicking hard and triumphing in 15min. 48.21sec.
Rees secured the runner-up spot in 15-52.01, an 11sec. PB for the track 5,000m.
‘Happy to be back racing, and a bit surprised to get the win over Jack,’ Dawes said.
‘He has been leading the way in most training sessions and has probably been our most consistent top-flight distance runner since the cross-country season.
‘I thought I’d have a chance if he went out too hot – not uncommon – and I’d pace it better and reel him in, but he ran a perfectly-paced race which led to a good battle and a last-lap burn up.
‘I think I’m some way short of my full fitness, so I need to get some work in and improve, because Jack’s only going to keep getting better, so should have some good battles going forward.’
Positions behind them had also been well-contested as George Mason snatched the final podium spot in 16-23.31, edging veteran Chris Gillman by 1.85sec. Both recorded PBs.
A flying finish enabled another committed veteran athlete, Toby Mann, to grab fifth overall on 16-34.10 and lead in a large group that had been working together most of the way.
That group included Ben Foote (16-45.44, seventh) and Mikey Ingrouille (16-56.04, ninth) putting in their first sub-17min. 5km runs on any surface.
The top-flight spectacle had been preceded by an intriguing B race, where U20 Noah Davy started swiftly to gap the field instantly.
He did win eventually but had to work for it, being consumed by a chase pack before rallying home in 17-51.30.
Guernsey hockey player Ryan Gilson posted 17-54.74 for a good runner-up finish.
However, the main focus of that race had been on Petit.
A well-paced race and a fast final lap enabled her to take third in the race and quickest woman on the night with 17-58.76 – her first sub-18min. 5km since Easter 2024, which preceded a long spell of injury.
She can head to Orkney with high confidence after going 44sec. quicker than the previous weekend’s outing in Chelmsford, which proved far too hot for optimal distance racing.
Having made her name as a mountain-biker, Kylie Vaudin underlined her rapid improvements without the wheels through a huge PB of 19-32.16. The 21-year-old had no track racing experience and a previous 5km best of 20-49 from Easter.
There was another triumph for the Petit family as Nix’s brother Pierre won a similarly changeable C race.
He posted 20-29.78 but was tested by, among others, Kate Collenette.
The Hyrox athlete’s 20-36.66 was enough for second in the race and third-quickest woman overall.
Earlier, Itayi Chibaya had dominated the D race in 23-55.20.
Two 400m races featuring Island Games athletes provided a real change of pace for spectators.
Nic Ackermann got the win in 50.09, just 0.02sec. outside his PB, with the next two spots going to middle-distance runner Gian-Luca Robilliard (51.17) and U17 sprint talent Theo Le Tissier (51.83).
800m ace Darcey Hodgson won the women’s race in 57.48, followed by sprinters Amelia Hart (58.86) and Emily Pike (59.95).
Over the junior 1,000m, Shay Le Poidevin won in 3-02.20, holding off a determined Grace King, who ran 3-03.97.
U17 Olivia Whitmore’s 12.58 in the 80m hurdles fell just short of the age-group ‘Nationals’ standard.
Guernsey basketball captain Aaron Walden took office bragging rights in the Skipton Mile staff race, running 5-16.60.
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