Summer Series – Race 3

Whitley 10k

Sunday April 18^th.

 

After a year in the wilderness, Whitley was now back into the Summer Series fold. These are strange times, the Icelandic volcano having brought a halt to flying, the first televised debate having opened-up all sorts of election possibilities and the weather. Its shift brought the very cold, snowy but sunny winter and now, instead of the usual wet, windy but changeable April, we had here, as with the first two races, a still, dry and sunny day. Perfect running conditions and a bumper,41, turn-out for the second race in the Cheshire Grand Prix.

 

Elspeth had a first outing in a Wilmslow vest and a PB, she noted. It was also Helen’s first race as a Wilmslow runner. Trevor, Stuart, Louise, Peter, Soraya, Carla, Tom and Mark made their entrances into the 2010 Series.

 

Another excellent run by Damian saw him second overall. Stuart could not match his son’s win in the Fun Run but  8^th. overall and 3^rd. M40 isn’t a bad way to open your Series account. Graham was the third Wilmslow runner home, Trevor fourth, Tom,  2^nd. M50, fifth and  Mick, 2^nd.M60, sixth. They were followed in by James and Mark,

 

Graham remains top of the league with Tony second, James third then Richard and Don.

 

Did I say that the Ladies' championship would be intriguing? Three races, three different winners. This time it was Louise, having a bit of fun before London next Sunday, she was also 1^st.F35. Another superb run by Christine saw take her second successive 1^st.F45 with Kate (2^nd.F45) third, Sarah fourth and Clare (3^rd.F45) fifth.

 

It is now a three-way tie at the top of the ladies’ table; Clare, Kate and Sarah Waite. Then come Julie and Sarah Miles.

 

James again was the 3/4 winner. He was followed in by Tony, Gareth, Richard, Louise, Don, Christine, Pete, Kate, Sarah, Clare, Patrick, and, with a PB in a gentle marathon warm-up, Angie. Ian, with a hatrick of last places, is vying with Martin, who has the same distinction in 5/6.

 

James retains leadership of the 3/4 table, Tony is second, Richard third, then Don, Pete, Clare, Kate, Sarah and Ian.

 

Matt, as at Chester dominated 5/6. Chris was second, Catriona (probably nursing herself for next week but perhaps pining for Mike stuck in Switzerland) third then Simon (not quite able to match his High Legh time, I was frightened it was he every time someone moved onto my shoulder in the final k), Rod, Carla (a good return after being out injured since Natterjack), Sharon, Peter (a measured return in his first race of 2010), Soraya, , Julie, Nina (a PB but better, ahead of Roy), Roy (and to think that he had a quiet Saturday night and went to bed early), Helen, , Monique, Owen, Trevor, Elspeth, Gail, Sarah and then Martin.

Chris moves to the top of the 5/6 table displacing John. Rod is second, Owen third then Roy, Julie, Trevor, Sarah, and Martin.

 

Damian topped the age/sex adjusted times followed by Stuart, Graham, Trevor, Tom (last year’s winner), Mick, James, Mark, Tony with Gareth completing the top ten.

 

Graham takes over top place in the age/sex league, Tony drops to second followed by Pete, Clare, Kate and Don.

 

The Summer Series becomes ever more popular. 41 here, 26 at Sandstone, 32 at Chester. This total of 99 compares with 67 in the first three races of 2009, when a record 47 completed the Series.

 

As Malcolm said the first half of Goyt Valley is downhill and the second half isn’t and then there’s a killer finish – but likely to be good for points. Then into the City for a taste of Moss Side, it is probably technically Whalley Range, and a new venue the Alexandra Park 5k. 

 

Ian