Jimmy's run was all the more impressive, considering the conditions.
I was the the liason between the lead pack and the race director's lead vehicle; for most of the race I was on my bike within 10 feet of those guys, so I got to see some pretty good action.
The temp was great--mid to upper 30's--but there were a couple sections where the runners had to run into a 20 mph headwind, which was brutal! from 14-17 and again the last 3K-4K. which was the worst place to have to run into that wind. I've never seen so many wheels come off so dramatically.
JH ran conservatively at first, not even making the front group until about 15, and then he pushed the last 2 miles, trying to drop the defending champion. It was so windy, mile splits went something like, 4:57, 5:02, 4:59 and then 5:35 once they turned into the wind for the last 3K. The guy is just plain ballsy; not the prettiest runner, but gutsy as hell. Running from the front is the only way to do it, and we were all really impressed by his running. Props to the winner for certain, but the race of the day was Jimmy's.
He also wins the award for best puker. Just freaking amazing. If it weren't for the wind, he would have gone under 2:12, without a doubt.