I did this race too, and it was my first official 10k, although have done the distance several times in training, which paid off in the end. Did 58 mins 12, my next target is to try to break 55, then 50... I gave up smoking a few years ago, and started running about 7 months ago, after being something of a desk jockey for years, so feel I've made some real achievements
I have already entered the City of Manchester 10k and the Great Yorkshire Run on the back of finishing the GMR!
I've got the bug :d