Club Series, race 13
Numbers felt well down on previous years, not particularly Wilmslow numbers, we had a good mix of abilities, if a lack of ladies, but as against a total field of a 100 in 2017, 2018 was 69. This was a shame, it is one of the best races on the calendar and in a good cause.
After a month of races in baking heat, Rudyard Lake had been pleasantly cool. I did not note the temperature at midday in Bollington, it felt very hot and was still 27 deg. at 5pm. Did the heat discourage people from running? Does a sunny day mean more pressure from family and partners to be elsewhere? Does an 11am start intrude too much into the day?
Others must have been braver, but instead of thinking how I could maximise my performance, concerned about the heat, I was hoping that I might find myself, by halfway, in a situation where there was little prospect of either improving my position or being caught, and would be able to ease off a little rather than finishing as exhausted as I had after Race the Train, the Wilmslow Half and Colshaw. In any case the chance of glory was always going to be minimal; the opposition in the over 70 category included Jeff Norman who ran the Montreal Olympics and Tony Hulme, a bit tough in the sort of little race that I might have hoped to win. Tony showed his quality, only 28 seconds behind Jeff.
Whilst we are on big names it was great to see Damian back again, and back again winning, a convincing minute ahead of the field.
Janine, who in her early years with the club, was good on the road but less confident off-road, nevertheless was not only our, but the race’s, first lady, having overhauled the early leader.
Jim was 8th. and 1st.M40. James 10th. and 2nd.M40. Allan (Diane on Rex duty) 12th., Mike 15th. and 2nd.M50, Graham, a mere five seconds behind, 16th. Richard Harrison was 21st. Paul Norris 23rd. and 1st.M60.
Catherine was our second lady.
Richard Lawson won League 2 from league-leader Paul Garnett. (Paul and Richard Harrison were only a second apart after an hour’s running). Janine was third with Tony fourth.
Colin, on this occasion, won the League Three battle with Patrick, John was third.
This is not Catherine’s type of race, last year only Trevor was behind her, but another comfortable League Four win emphasised her improvement over the last 12 months. This was always going to be a course when Simon’s impaired vision would be a problem, he took the wise option and ran within himself.
Nice to see Gail who was sweeping. Chris was again on the touchline.