Alderley Edge 5

This was a great course. For those who weren’t there, there was nothing we hadn’t run in training but it was linked in a way that I’ve not run before. It combined uphill, downhill and flat, on-road and off-road plus the killer hill, a mile from the end, that we all know and it was traffic-free. The consequence of the mixed terrain is that who is favoured constantly changes and, with a good turn-out from Group 4, there was a lot of over-taking and then re-overtaking. If the logistics of race organisation allow for fewer WRC members officiating, it would be perfect if Tony and Malcolm could make it one of next year’s Summer Series. Race times were similar to Rudyard, also five miles, which makes it interesting but, despite the ascent of the Edge, not a Shady Oak, Roaches or Gun Run.

Malcolm combined Race Organiser, Director and first vet. A hard Tuesday session and no Series points meant that numbers were lower than in the Summer races but helped the efficient organisation. Group 4 proved the most competitive sector of the race and produced a surprise winner in Owen. He only arrived as people were lining-up to start and but for Malcolm delaying his introduction and Sally organising his number wouldn’t have made it.

I made a fastish start but was swept-up in the first two miles by Huma, Owen, Paulo, Anne, Roy and Penny.

Roy

Huma and Anne are picking-up after their lay-offs and will add to interest in the mix at the front of Group 4 in the second half of the season. Stephen was making his second outing in quick succession and threatening to go for the hat trick at Pie & Peas. For Simon, on home territory, this was his first race since Whitley and making an even rarer appearance was Peter, whilst Paulo was out for the first time in 2008 – the four of them in one race, a pub quiz question for years to come. Cat, like Penny, had Tuesday in her legs but the two of them were threatening to tackle the Mobberley 5 on Thursday, whilst I had been whisked away to my retreat in

West Wales

Ian