Summer Series Race 18 – Natterjack 10k

 

 

We left the warmth of this year’s autumn at Wilmslow, getting out of the car next to the beach felt, at 6^O, bitingly cold even though the wind was little more than a winter breeze. This was more of a problem, however, for supporters Mike and Nina than the runners.

 

Our speculation on the way up, in Rod’s posh car, was that although there would be a decent turn-out it would be mainly Groups 4,5 and 6; the proper runners largely shunning a flat 10k that twisted snake-like through every inch of a Victorian park. Following the route diagram was something of a brain teaser, running was easier, you could easily follow the people in front but Rob Downs made the right decision or he’d still be running now.

 

Malcolm finished 3^rd., not bad for a V45 recovering from injury. Lachlan came with his mother, who opted not to run. Injury has disrupted Lachlan season in which otherwise he could have been a podium contender. Mike, who started the race tied on points with Don and Mick, was well-rewarded as he also moved ahead of James Wheeler into 7^th. place. James Eyre, who needs also to do Langley to get his 7, registered his best score of the Series. Andy (2^nd. M55) is running really well and gained three places at the expense of Geoff, Gareth and Steve Smith. Tony, who’d initiated the Southport adventure, failed to add to his score and was left questioning whether he could not have spent his Sunday morning more profitably but he was 1^st. M60.

 

This was a flat, fast course. My stats say that to equate with Sutton you take off a second for each minute, so if you did 40:40 at Sutton the equivalent at Southport was 40:00. I know Cat and Don managed PBs and a big day for Martin as he enjoyed a Roger Bannister moment breaking the hour for the first time. Please let me know of other PBs.

 

Kate, like Jenson Button, has led from race one but, again, like Jenson, it always looked like the title might be stolen from her at the last grasp. But, with 50 points at both Macclesfield and Southport, she snuffed-out any chance for her rivals. She was also 1^st. F45. Nicky, 1^st. F50, was our second lady. In the table Nicky is third but has the opportunity to get on terms with Sally Gilliver at Langley.

 

James, for the first time, was Group 3/4 winner, Andy 2^nd. and Tony 3^rd.. Jamie, who was next home in his best result of the Series should have been credited with 2^nd. M60 but the organisers clearly thought he looked younger than his years. None of the top four added to their score but Andy moved into 5^th. above Steve Smith and Richard moved level with Steve Russell. Matt, completing his 7, moves between Chris and Owen in the relegation zone. In the main table, Chris got his best score of the Series taking him above Angela and David.

 

The racing is always better when a mix of uphill, downhill, flat, on-road and off-road plays to different people’s strengths in different sections (this is what, in my view, makes Roaches the best race in the calendar and Langley so interesting). I normally battle with John and Penny early-on but as I dropped into the gap between 4 and 5 neither showed, Rod and Roy had also threatened a challenge but it was all bluster. I’m also wary of the finishing speed of Catriona and Christine but, running my best 10k for three years, I hoped I’d drawn their sting.

 

Angela could have won the 5/6 title here but is struggling with her hamstring. John, Christine and Penny started the race joint second only 4 points behind Angie. John is finishing in style, three firsts and a second in his last four races. He could draw level, but not go ahead, of Angie at Langley. Catriona outsprinted Christine for the 49 points. Neither can, now, win but both could finish second as could Penny who finished fourth here.

 

Steffi ran less well than of late but still moved up a place in 5/6. More dramatic was her impact in the main table where she went ahead of Trevor, Rod, Owen, Roy and Sally. Rod maintained his improvement but it left him unchanged whereas rival Roy, although finishing behind Rod, put another place between them by overtaking Sally. Carla is still troubled by injury but ensured her 7. Soraya equalled her best score of the Series. Southport was too short and flat for Trevor who will be happier at Langley. Charlotte now has her 7 races but beating Martin in the race is not enough, his points moved him up two places in the main table, however, Charlotte leads him in 5/6, albeit by only one point.    

 

Don maintained his record of running every race. Mathew Atkinson, Carla Owen and Charlotte Godfrey bring to 44 the names on the T-shirt and mug. Stuart Parrott, Katy Green, Sarah Waite, Amanda Bradbury, Tom Hillis, Malcolm Fowler and James Eyre need to complete Langley to make the 2009 Hall of Fame.

 

Cross-country this Saturday, although, unless we get a lot of rain, Heaton Park should be a gentle introduction, but a change in the weather is forecast. Then, a fitting climax to the Series, the Langley hill.

 

Ian