The clouds were heavy , the rain was intermittent and the going while not as muddy as last year was still heavy underfoot. It was also a dry run (ouch) of the Northerns being held here in January.
With the success of recent seasons (both men and ladies teams were runners up last year ) XC has become an important part of the club calender . We are fortunate to have a strong squad and a rapidly growing team of ladies . We are also lucky to have a travelling support : Dave Read , Brian Gilliver , Nina , Claire Hawkes , Paul Sanders and Kaseys boyfriend . Great to see the men arrive early cheering on the ladies and the ladies reciprocating after their event …..and finally to watch everyone trudging the muddy path back to the car park , wet , dirty but everyone smiling …….surely thats what its all about .
The ladies carried on where they left off at BHC . Claire finished 4th and Vicky 6th . A welcome sight was seeing Sally Gilliver fit and racing with Captain Kate completing the counters . Nicky was next home with Katy Green not far behind . Katy an advocate of the mud literally threw herself at the line in a sprint but with a touch too much energy ….so graceful chest down in the *!?£ !!
Plenty of back up as Angela , Kasey and Sarah played their part in pushing back other teams counters .
The men lost Stuart with flu in the morning and had no Bill or Ray . The vital final counters places were up for grabs.
Malcolm was as strong as ever finishing a fine fifth with the resurgent Jim in the early teens. He was pushed all the way by Rob , literally feet behind . The evergreen Tom was 21st.
Back up was needed and back up we got : Steve Dempsey gritted his teeth to come home fifth counter and Mike Cooper was our number six. Ian Smallwood and Geoff were next in as steady as ever .
Stalwart Trevor was cheered all the way to the line as he was part of a neck and neck sprint finish …Trevor dipped for the line and the sprint was his.
This year , the league is holding a hot pot presentationn event at 3.45 in Wythenshawe Hall , directly after the final race . A full presentation of awards will take place in comfort and with an available licenced bar. Tickets are £2.00 with Manchester City Council and the league subsidising each ticket by £5.00 : athletes and supporters will enjoy a £7.00 hot pot and bring the season to a conclusion. Lets enjoy a real Wilmslow turnout to support this new league initiative .
We await the results in eager anticipation to see our league standings.http://www.race-results.co.uk/
Nick.
Results online already http://www.race-results.co.uk
Nick, Re your report – I actually lost 2 places after you saw me and finished 7th, not 5th.
When it comes to a sprint finish between a Junior 3m54s 1500m runner, a 1m51s 800m runner and an old fart, there is only ever going to be one loser!