Paul's times not what they were

We met Mitch Joughin (pictured above) at the airport yesterday. Mitch was a stalwart of the club scene for many years - the Manx Marathon was his favourite event he told us. Now 68, he has not enjoyed the best of health. He was off on a cruise with wife Celia after flying to Southampton.

But he has not loft his humour or his bluntness. As soon as he saw Paul Curphey he said "Your times are crap these days!".

Paul ran 2.37.51 in 1995 and I am convinced that he would have been two or three minutes faster the following year, when he got a higher position, had it not been for the weather.

His form has suffered recently but that should never distract from his great record in London where he has been the fastest local on seven occasions - he has completed the event for the past 16 years (17 tomorrow hopefully).

He has the modest aim tomorrow of beating 3.15 which would secure his place at London for a further two years. But according to the time prediction of a computer at the exhibition yesterday he will do 3.16. He didn't run a great race there, however, putting too much effort in just after half way, and if Nigel runs with him tomorrow I think he can achieve his target.