With an eye on the 32km Routeburn Classic in two weeks, Thompson could not resist defending the senior men's title in one of his favourite races.
''This is a really good event,'' he said at the finish yesterday.
''I was thinking of not doing it. But I saw the forecast and it was supposed to be sunny.''
The majority of the 26km race was held in rain and drizzle, but Thompson said track conditions, although muddy and slippery in parts, were not as bad as they were in the past two years.
Despite his time of 2hr 5min 37sec being a bit slower than in the previous two years, Thompson was pleased to bank it given the nature of the course and that he didn't feel as fit as he was previously.
''I was hoping to run this a bit easier, but Jonah really pushed me,'' he said.
Thompson and Smith left the field of 150 runners in their wake from the start in Woodhaugh, to hold a handy lead over the three peaks of Flagstaff, Swampy and Cargill.
It wasn't until the two reached the run up to Mt Cargill that Thompson was able to pull away.
Smith's legs were cramping, which slowed his run on the descent to Bethunes. Such was the state of Smith's legs that they went from under him on the run across the bridge heading into Bethunes.
Despite a trail of blood down his leg, he was able to muster enough resolve to hold on for second place, crossing in 2hr 7min 11sec.
There was an intense three way battle for third between Rob Creasy, Shaun Barlow and Peninsula Challenge champion Neale McLanachan.
The trio only split apart on the run across Chingford Park to the finish, Creasy finishing third in 2hr 18min 51sec, ahead of Barlow (2hr 18min 54sec) and McLanachan (2hr 19min 4sec).
Sarah Chisnall was left unmarked to successfully defend the open women's title in 2hr 25min 39sec.
It was a sixth title in 10 years for Chisnall, placing her among the elite group in the event's 30 year history.
''This is a fantastic event,'' she said at the finish yesterday.
''It has everything off road imaginable, and the weather will always play a part - which makes it more of a challenge.'Andrew Lonie and Olliver O'Sullivan were first to finish the two person team section in 2hr 26min 35sec.
The ''Smiling Assassins'', Merrilee Williams and Sarah Sanderson, were the first women's team home in 3hr 39min 54sec.
