Sunny, windless, 17o; perfect conditions in my book, though some like it cooler. Fourteenth race of the Summer Series and final race in the Cheshire Grand Prix. The Men sewed-up the title for the sixth year in succession at Great Warford but that doesn’t stop the whole of Group 1 being there to emphasise our superiority in club spirit and loyalty. The Ladies, also here in strength, have had to concede the title to Macclesfield but need a good result against Vale Royal to retain last year’s second place.
Damian apparently dominated from the front and Jim, he’s had a brilliant season, made it a Wilmslow one-two, but someone else will have to tell the story, I was some distance from the action.
Owen, Penny and Sarah had, quite independently, and unknown to me, chosen the same tactic; to use me as pacemaker. The result was that the four of us went through 2k in a bunch. At 3k and 4k, I was unsure about the others but Penny and I were shoulder to shoulder. By 5k I had edged in front of Penny.
I’ve had a good season in the tables but been unhappy with my times and seen my wins as a failure , as has happened in previous seasons, of other runners to come through Group 4, ready to move up to Group 3 and beyond. My watch at 6k put me sub-45, I’d done 43:30 at Sutton two years ago but not been under 45 since and, for the first time in ages I was pleased with my time. I could also relax; 45 minutes would be a big PB for Penny, Owen or Sarah. Amanda had been there, but we were nearly six-months on from her last good performance.
I was able to forget the 4/5 race and concentrated on the watch. 7k nd 8k were ok, but I blew it between 8k and 9k and felt tired in the final kilometre. Still 45:20 was a comfortable Group 4 win, until I turned and saw, not only Penny, but also Sarah and Amanda were only yards behind me. We were all delighted with our performances as was Owen, although he had dropped off a little.
Peter’s working his way back and, with no fun run choice, came down the right funnel. Rod has slowly regained his fitness and had his best run for some time, probably of 2008. He was in front of
Roy
, again enjoying perhaps his best run of the year. It could be a good finish between the two of them for the rest of the Series, their points are very close. although it does start to get cold and it may be a long time for some of you to hang about.
Charlotte
, despite a bad chest, managed to fight her way past Trevor, who’d spent Saturday fell racing. Nina did not have her best day but is consistently picking-up the points
Next is Congleton, the opportunity for the distance runners – we might see a very different 4/5 finishing order.
Ian Ashcroft