Some of you may have noticed the intense rivalry between two of the club’s more senior members in the Summer Series Championships. For those of you blissfully unaware of the situation let me enlighten you. Two points separate Ian Ashcroft and Roy Pownall with the latter in the ascendancy with just one race to go. But let’s go back one step.
Sunday morning 17th October and the squad of Ian Ashcroft, Roy Pownall, Rod Coombs,
Andy Watts and the delightful Dr. Kate Sutton assemble at Ian’s house to be chauffeured to the Chester Zoo 10K courtesy of Professor Coombs’ racemobile.
Ian immediately takes pole position in the spacious front passenger seat sending out a clear message to Roy that in the animal kingdom there is only one leader. However, Roy is more than compensated by the warmth of Kate’s body squeezed between him and Andy in the rear. En route the conversation is lively but Ian is pensive or half asleep, it’s never easy to tell. Kate asks Roy how he is feeling to which he replies : “quietly confident” (Oh, the bravado of the boy !) On arrival the squad disembark, stretch, scratch, yawn and wander off in search of T-shirts, toilets and the Running Bear emporium. Having exchanged the customary insults with Tony the squad disperse to the bushes (Ah, the call of the wild) to let nature take its course. During the warm-up to the 1km marker Roy strides out desperately trying to impress Ian with his athletic prowess only to find it takes well over 5 minutes – not a good omen.
The start of the race is somewhat shambolic but Ian and Roy manage to get away quickly and soon settle into a rhythm with Ian a short distance in front. Roy’s game plan is to keep it steady for most of the race and then to pounce towards the finish. Alas, this was not to be as the dreaded hill appeared at 9km and Ian pulled away strongly leaving Roy dreaming of what might have been on a flat course.
However, the very good news was that there were no Wilmslow runners between Ian and Roy which meant that the status quo was maintained in the championship league table.
It was just like two old lions playing out the last big game.
This tale (or should it be tail) was brought to you by Roy (2 points clear of Ian) Pownall