Summer Series, Race 2 – Goyt Valley 10k

Last year Goyt Valley got my vote as the most enjoyable run in the Series despite, after two weeks of pouring rain, the peak bog being a problem, to the extent that it is rumoured that two of group 5 are still in there somewhere. This year was a warm Spring evening and a new course, which was nearly all surfaced. I missed the grass and footpath section which followed the peak bog but everyone agreed that this was a great course, but far from easy. As Malcolm said, the route out was downhill and the route back wasn’t. Added to which was a killer finish in the style of Alderley Edge or the Gun Run.

 

Malcolm recruited the London marathoners to administer the race and our star of Londons past, Andy Penney, made an appearance in the colours of his Devon club. Nick remarked that Andy was looking a bit tubby, I bow to his expertise in that field. Sarah was hanging about holding her number but fully dressed, she explained that she was waiting for Don to bring back her bra. Regular readers of the News of the World will be familiar with the expression ‘at that point I made my excuses and left’.

 

Competitors had jumped from 75 last year to 174.

 

Malcolm as well as race director was 3^rd, first vet, led home the winning Wilmslow men’s team and picked-up 50 Summer Series points. Tom was 5^th, 1^st. M50, second team counter and his 49  points took him to overall Series leader. Jim was 7^th. and the third member of the winning team.

 

Rob moved up to second place overall in the main table.. Tony was 1^St. M60 and moved to third overall in the table but, I suspect, beating Mick gave him more pleasure than either of those.

 

Rob took his second successive Group 3/4 50 points, again followed by Tony. Mick was third here but overall Don retains that position.

 

Kate was a little behind the magnificent Olivia but was second lady, first lady vet, led the Wilmslow ladies to the team prize and picked-up her second Ladies 50 points and overall leadership of that category of the Series. However, officiating, were Vicky, Sue and Sarah – there are some tougher races ahead for Kate.

 

Amanda was second counter in the Ladies team and surprise winner of 5/6. It shouldn’t be a surprise. For a year she led the old 4/5 race ranking but that is done on best times and most of these she achieved in non-club races. In the past she has rarely fulfilled her potential in the more personal battles with other Wilmslow runners that the Summer Series provokes. Ian had overtaken Catriona and Huma before halfway but Amanda, who had been 10 minutes behind Huma at Wilmslow, first passed the girls and then, with a mile to go, caught Ian. Cat was the third member of the Ladies team. She won a prize here last year as well, expect her back in 2010

 

Penny started the race as though she’d still got her skis on but ended with the L50 prize, she’ll run a lot better for no reward. Kasey in contrast did a 10k pb – on that course! We might have expected her to still have the Paris marathon in her legs but it would seem only the benefit of the training remains.

 

Ian retains overall leadership of the 5/6 table with Huma second and Christine third.

 

James Wheeler and Richard Huron made their Series debuts.

 

Next race, bank holiday Monday, May 4^th.., 15k at Waterloo. You’d be wise to pre-enter. http://www.southportwaterlooac.co.uk/15kentry2009.PDF

 

Fourth race is Wednesday May 13, the Shady Oak Tough 10k. Sadly I shall miss this; I’ll be joining Paul Sanders, Paul Ayres, three other friends and the Christian pilgrims on the Camino Santiago de Compostela. Shady Oak is my least favourite race but I’m not sure if it’s the hill or being beaten by Penny that hurts the more. http://www.goytvalleystriders.org.uk/pages/pdfs/Tough10Kentry.pdf

 

My comments on the tables will probably contain errors but Don will confirm or correct with the publication of the official tables.

 

Ian