Summer Series Race 9 – The Gun Run

“ Have you seen the Gun Run’s only 9k this year?”. Owen phoned during the afternoon. Last year he, Sarah, John and I had come together before the ‘Gun’ with our race order only being finally decided in the grounds of the community centre. I assured him it had been ‘only’ 9k in 2008 and it was unlikely to feel any shorter this year.

 

Damian improved one place on last year. Two wins in three days, a possible contender in July’s Runner of the Month? Vicky who last year had claimed the Ladies title had to settle, this time, for second. Rob finished second to Damian, Malcolm third. 

 

The names of Sarah Miles, Richard Hirons, Steve Smith and Ian Ashcroft were added to the 5 already on the 2009 mug and T-shirt. Peter Watson became the 71^st. participant. 10 races still to go, not halfway yet.

 

Tony remains in yellow. Don has also run all 9 races, Steve has moved above Kate into third. All of them will start to come under pressure as the programme moves towards August. Those of us who have got our races in early now undergo the Hull City experience. You may remember they were third in the premiership in December but slithered down the table with such speed that, come May, only super-human incompetence at Newcastle United saved them from relegation.

 

Vicky took her second Ladies 50 points of the Summer, Katy had her second 2^nd. in three days, Nicky picked-up third. Nicky was first L50 in the race. Overall the Series table is quite different; Kate followed by Angela followed by Penny.

 

Mick was first M50 in the race and took his third 3/4 victory of the Summer. Don, whose running has moved-up a gear was a brilliant second (another Runner of the Month contender?) with Vicky third. Tony leads overall, Don second, Steve now third.

 

Ian gained some revenge over Penny for Bollington but her combined time for the two races was the better and with her win at Roaches she is looking to be Group 5 fell racing champion of 2009, but Amanda and Angela might want a say in that. Catriona took third. Rod beat Roy in the day’s novelty event; an uphill sprint between the clubs two flat-earthers. Whereas Roy had achieved two fell races in three days, Soraya, like Andy, had combined Gun Run with the Manchester-Blackpool bike ride. Steffi gave her new club vest an airing. Ian returns to the top of the table followed by Penny and Angela.

 

When the times are age/sex adjusted, Rob has been first in all four races he has run but remember Tom won both his races before his injury (Tony has won the other three). Malcolm was age/sex second in the Gun Run, Damian third. Overall Tony leads followed by Kate then Don.

 

Back to the short flat stuff for the Sale Sizzler and then the gentler surburban undulations of Moonraker.

 

Ian