Despite Malcolm stepping-in when this popular race looked likely to collapse, the Gawsworth 10k retains its village fete feel. For a start any newcomer might be naïve enough to expect that when they’d passed the 10k mark of a 10k race that that had come to the finish. Then there is the introductory speech from Sir Nicholas, who nobly stayed-on and handed-out the medals but, with the parliamentary expenses scandal having taken its toll, this may have been his valedictory appearance.
Wilmslow always has a strong presence, although with a bias toward the ‘lower orders’. Competition comes from Trafford, the fastest 10k in the area, and this often pulls-away our top runners. The 9:30 start at Trafford is convenient for the family men, Damian, however, prefers an extra hour in bed on a Sunday and duly retained his title. Tom, who’s running very well again, was 4th. and, of course, 1st.V50. Peter Bannister, who’s improved race by race, took 48 points, his best result of the summer. Tony, 2nd. V60, was 4th. Wilmslow and James Eyre, also with his best finish of the season, was 5th.
The result puts Tom third in the main table, a point behind Jim with Tony dropping down to fourth.
Katy was first Wilmslow lady and 2nd. L35 overall. It is Katy’s second Series win and a late bid for the ladies’ title is still possible. Sally was 1St L45 and second Wilmslow lady, she, too, is not out of the running to take the title. Third was Kate, 2nd. L45, 48 points and still very much the lady to beat. Nicky picked-up yet another L50 first place and remains second to Kate in the Ladies’ table. Sarah was next home, Amanda 3rd. L35 and Penny 3rd. L50.
Group 3/4 has been a battle between Mick and Tony but Peter got the 50 points here and, mathematically at least, could muscle them both out to take the title. Mick didn’t run and Tony’s 49 points don’t increase his overall score; Mick remains top of 3/4 by a single point. Don, who even now has run every race, had another very good race at Gawsworth, but Peter threatens his podium finish. Sean Barry showed that swapping Wilmslow for
John is group winner once every year. It had began to look as though he would miss out this year but, despite his best run of the year, even he must have been surprised to have also been overall 1st. V55. I’d written John off as the 5/6 champion after Amanda beat him at Warford, but it is still possible. Amanda took 49 points and remains in contention. Neither Angela nor Catriona ran and Penny could not add to her overall score. This makes it even tighter at the top, seven different runners have won the 15 races to date; Angela leads with 347, Penny is second,343, Cat third, 341 and John fourth, 339.
A new 5/6 name claimed third place at Gawsworth, Runner of the Month, Rod Coombs. Coming up next is Sutton, the only race in the calendar with a straight long enough for Rod to build-up to full momentum.
Julie was just ahead of Soraya at the head of Group 6 with Gail, on her debut, coming third. We seemed to lose Kasey and Nina between the warm-up and the start. Martin is looking noticeably slimmer but Sarah, Trevor and
Achievement of the day was in the age/sex table. Tony, who has led since the start, of the Series picked-up another 49 points but it wasn’t sufficient to prevent Tom leaping to the top of the table. His 50 takes him to 347 against Tony’s 346. Rob has 299 from six races. Mick is third, Damian fourth followed by Jim, Nicky, Kate, Geoff, Andy and Don.
Tom McGaff, Owen Ashcroft and Simon Fenton brought to 32 those who will have their names on the 2009 T-shirt and mug. It is still possible for 60 to complete the 7 races, although Peter Watson, Neil McAleece and Trevor Morris will have to run all of Sutton, Macclesfield, Natterjack and Langley if they are going to make it.
This is written from the depths of south-west
Sutton is fast and should produce plenty of best 10ks of 2009 but this will be a side-show with all eyes on whether the Ladies can win the Cheshire Grand Prix. The Men’s championship is already in the bag, our ladies are in first place but the statistics favour Vale Royal; it is going to be extremely close.
Ian