Blue skies , dry with winter sun , and less mud than last year. This was race two in the Manchester XC League.
Some initial team concerns due to injuries and prior commitments but hurried phone calls and the first Wilmslow race for Ray Eagles ensured that we had a full team . My thanks to Gavin for running following a Saturday morning phone call. We even had the welcome support of Tony and Simon , much appreciated by all runners.
Once all seven of our runners were known to be at the course , we relaxed in the knowledge that following our exellent result at Heaton Park that we had a team despite a heavy non available list.
Although the course is ultimately three and a half laps of a series of fields of varied terrain but in the main mud , my impression this year was more favourable than last . The winter sun perhaps helped.
No waiting at the start as the runners were quickly away , Damian raced into an early lead and was looking strong. Rob was on his heels soon after the start with Tom and Malcolm swiftly moving through the field. I was pleasantly surprised that despite my calf injury meaning no running for a couple of weeks , that there seemed to be more runners behind me than ahead of me. Perhaps it was my new go faster Mountain Bear shoes. In the knowkedge that we also had Ray Eagles and Gavin to finish , all was going well.
With the course having many loops and twists runners were able to see events unfolding ahead and behind of them. Damian was losing his lead and Malcolm was catching . Tom and Rob were neck and neck. Ray was not far behind me and Gavin’s prediction of a top 120 finish appeared modest.
Final placings:
6th . Malcolm Fowler
7th . Damian Nicholls
24th . Rob Downs
25th. Tom McGaff
42nd. Nick Bishop
55th. Ray Eagles
97th. Gavin Mendham
Official results will be available later next week but our score totals 159 ( first six counters) compared to 240 for fourth place at Heaton Park. With personnel and total runner numbers changing race to race , team placings are hard to predict but we should maintain our fourth place.
The old gits (aka Veterans) all placed well and should hold their 1st place.
Well done and thanks to all runners and supporters . The next race is at Boghart Hole Clough , Saturday 3rd December. Mens race again at 2.30 . See you all there when we also hope to have some additional runners to help build on our successful start.
Nick.