Sandstone Trail

Sunday April  11th.

Last time the Summer Series came to Beeston there were two inches of snow on the ground. This year it was real Spring; 12^o,sunny and windless;  perfect running conditions. As always at the start of the Series, numbers were subdued and, even better, Group 1 and 2 were largely notable for their absence.

Graham, 3rd. overall, got his first Series win and 60 points (it seems inflation has caught up with us, but not in the subs yet, have you paid Dave Read your £50?). The Steves were Wilmslow 2 and 3 followed by James and Tony.

Graham now  leads the main table with Steve Dempsey 2nd., James 3^rd., Tony 4^th. and Richard 5th. Steve has already run more races in 2010 than he did in 2009.

Did I say, in the Chester report, that the Ladies' championship would be intriguing?  Clare is getting back to her best after almost a year lost to injury. She was 3rd. lady overall and registered her first 60 points as the winning Wilmslow runner. Kate (did I mention the tortoise?) and Sarah were second and third Wilmslow ladies. Sarah normally has to drag herself round Langley to lay claim to the T-shirt, but now it's two races out of two, only five to go.

Clare takes over leadership of the Ladies table followed by Sarah Waite, Kate, Julie and Sarah Miles

Steve Smith got the League 3/4 60 points, James 59, Tony 58. Then it was Gareth, Richard, Don, Pete, Clare, Kate, Patrick (making a dashing debut), Sarah and Ian.

James retains his position at the top of 3/4, Tony is 2^nd, Richard 3^rd followed by Don, Pete, Clare, Kate, Sarah and Ian.

John, in a fine vein of form, took the 5/6 60 points, Catriona took 59 and Owen 58. Andy, making his Series debut, was fourth. Rod, for the second time in the week, saw-off Roy and also got ahead of Chris, whose blood-stained vest looked liked he'd been hit by machine-gun fire. Nina had too much pace for Julie and nearly embarrassed Roy. Trevor made the first-half hill-climb count to hold-off Sarah. Martin again was left holding the laterne rouge.

John takes over leadership of 5/6 followed by Owen, Chris, Rod and Roy.

Tony was first on the age/sex adjusted times, Graham second and Steve Smith third.

Tony also takes over from Mick as leader of the age/sex league table. He is followed by Graham, Steve Dempsey, Clare, Kate and Pete.

This is an varied, interesting  course, particularly in the dry and the chip-timing took the pain out of the posh ladies' lack of experience at organising the finish.  Numbers are swelling year-by-year.

Whitley next week; an old favourite, flatish, fastish 10k round the country lanes, another pleasant Sunday morning outing, expect a big turn-out. Then it is Goyt Valley, usually better for points but you certainly have to earn them.

Ian