Actually 10k and a bit, which fits with the ‘villagey’ quaintness of the event. This has tended in the past to make it a 3/4/5 day rather than one for the stars. The stars anyway had been pre-occupied with the North-West relays the previous day, excellent report by Rob, have a look if you’ve not read it. The Relay was a brilliant performance by both the Men (Damian, Malcolm, Rob and
So a recovery day for them and a points bonanza for us? Oh no, here they all were for a weekend double-header. Damian’s performance on Saturday had been stunning but today he went for popular appeal by not wearing his Wilmslow vest. A bonus for his team-mates and an extra point for the rest of us.
It is the turn of the season. Afterwards we were talking as to whether Nicky could secure Alderley Edge Tennis again for the Christmas Party. The weather, however, was better than for much of the summer; dry and warm. I was relieved having returned from 38oC only on Saturday evening. My ‘equivalent time’ monitor, however, had the course, or us, running a little slower than last year.
Sir Nicholas was briefer than in the past and Stephen was nice enough not to ask him about his expenses. I made one of my more sensible starts, Sarah went off quickly, Penny was also in front of me, Rod, a little behind and Roy, of course, doing his Michael Johnston for the first half kilometre.
We stabilised with Sarah 40m in front and Penny 10m ahead of me keeping close company with the man wearing no clothes. I crept up on Penny between 2k and 3k, She never lets me go by without a bit of a flurry but today she only forced her way back in front once. I made little progress towards Sarah either on the road or along the canal bank but by the time we crossed the footbridge I was in close contention. I also appreciated on the bridge that I had not, despite pushing hard, ‘lost’ Penny. At the Gun Run, Sarah and I had changed places for 3 miles and four times in the last 100m, but today she looked to be tiring badly as I took her just before we joined the Fun Run.
I was frustrated at the sudden mass of fun runners as I tried to get way from Penny and Sarah. The path was not wide enough for holding hands and chatting and potentially dangerous. A little girl suddenly darted in front of me to avoid a patch of mud, they seemed unaware of the 10k runners. I feel the organisers need to change the route or timing.
Sarah, it turned out, was as tired as she looked; she had played hockey on Saturday afternoon, and I was more fearful of Penny. The real danger, however, was Chris, who I had not seen but had clearly moved through the field in the second half. Simon in a brilliant finish edged Penny for fourth place, and 1st. V65. He was generous enough to suggest this was down to Penny being more considerate to the fun runners blocking her down the hill. Peter was next home, further progress after his long injury, but was guided down the fun run finish.
Rod had won his battle Louisa, nice to see her racing regularly again but she wouldn’t admit to enjoying it. Then, employing his considerable weight advantage, he stormed downhill past Angela. She, however, was far from downhearted, this was the day on which she completed her 7 races for her first t-shirt but perhaps more significant is the improvement in her running in achieving it.
After Julie, two making a somewhat belated Summer Series start. I think this was Soraya’s first race, an excellent debut. Then, a bit more of him than I remember, and he would have been 7 minutes faster a couple of years ago, it was great to see Bill back. Next, Stephen despite being a Gawsworth specialist was missed by the finishers and Sarah, who had run so well at Goyt, had one of those days we all suffer.
In the first half of the race I could see the ginger of Kate who took 1st. L45 despite Saturday’s mountain biking. Nicky was 1st. L50. Geoff fell on the steps following the bridge, he was in a lot of pain and we fear a broken wrist. Gavin was 3rd. V55, Andy 2nd. V55, Mike 2nd. V40, Tony 1st. V60, Tom 1st. V55,
I always enjoy this race but I think the Fun Run needs a re-think
Ian Ashcroft