Alasdair Donaldson has made a low-key return to athletics in some of the heaviest rain Loughborough has experienced in a generation. The 33 year-old told the Lufbra Echo that he was ready to "smash everyone through a wall" and said that his return was motivated by the poor standard of British distance running. "I look at the 800m rankings and just think back to when I was in school," said the 1:47 man, "back then you would never get away with some of the rubbish that we see now. The sport needs someone like me: someone who is not afraid to put himself out there."
If today's performance was anything to go by, the Scot will soon be making his mark. Arriving some two miles into the run, Donaldson immediately drifted to the front and put a gap between himself and the rest of the field disposing of a stunned Lewis Moses. Rob Whittle jumped out of the pack after him, but was soon making an abashed retreat to the main group. Alas, the damage had been done for Whittle and with Frank Baddick's hair gel gibes ringing in his ears, he was forced to make a hasty and breathless dash for home. Next to come under pressure was Baddick himself who just couldn't live with Donaldson's injection of pace as the rain became heavier. Baddick hung on as far as the infamous 'Domino's Turn off' but was soon making his own despondent way home. Afterwards, the Newham and Essex Beagle conceded that he was "bitterly disappointed" not to have been able to match Donaldson. "I thought I had him," said Baddick gulping a recovery shake, "his head was going further and further back. But in the end, the successive sub 7 minute miles were too much."
And so it came down to two. Donaldson: the old guard and Andrew Mariani (who is increasingly becoming know as 'Ken') representing the future. It was a brave effort from the 21 year-old but ultimately Donaldson's determination proved too much. As the pair flew past Sainsbury's, George Gandy's PA unleashed a 6:40 mile and in doing so ended Mariani's challenge. The most talented athlete at Loughborough faded badly in the closing stages but just about managed to hold off the advancing main pack.
Speaking at his victory press conference, Donaldson heaped praise on the Woodford Green man but had biting criticism for Kevin Seaward who failed to mount a significant challenge despite claiming to be in the shape of his life. "It [Mariani's effort] is what you want to see," said Donaldson, "Kevin never had a go. I was very disappointed with that." Despite a "very positive" return, the Fife man conceded that it could be some time before he will be ready to take on the ultimate challenge - a run with the girls. "They are going at a different level right now," said Donaldson "when I was in school, I learnt not to run with the girls unless you are right at the top of your game. I must say, it's a challenge I will be putting off for a while".