Alexandra Park 5k

Sunday May 2nd.

Alexandra is a three-lap Park 5k. In contrast to Thursday, it is pancake flat and, whilst theoretically much easier, the challenge of a 5k is that there is no time to ease yourself into a rhythm.  I have run the course before, but not since the fifth form at school. That was 1961 and also when I last won a race, 49 years now and I'm starting to find it difficult to see where the next victory is coming from.

This is a community race, it pre-dates Bramhall and is run on the first Sunday every month. The weather was not ideal for a 5k; dry but only 10^o and a cool breeze. Even more so than in the previous races, the visit to Whalley Range was dominated by Groups 4, 5 and 6. This is the normal spring pattern, it's a good thing, allowing the also-rans to see their names in the leader-board lights, even though they know that they will only flicker briefly before the big guns sweep into action.

The exception is Damian who blew-away another field. Martin says he is giving-up three-lap races;  he says being lapped once is not good for the ego but twice in a half-hour run is not on. The strain is clearly getting to him, in fact he was only lapped once. Second Wilmslow runner home was Mark. Third was Ray. Nick, with a cautious run, brings to 63 the participants in this year's competition.

Tony stretched his lead in the main table, Don moved up to second and Sarah to third. Another seven have run all five races and moving through the top ten of the leader-board in order we have Kate, Clare, Ian, Owen, Julie, Roy and Martin.

Katy was our first, and the race's second, lady. Sarah Waite was second Wilmslow lady edging Christine into third. Kate was fourth then Clare, Huma (who turned it into a family outing), Angela (easing her legs back after that great marathon run), Penny (running well given her lack of mileage this year), Monique (moving up race by race), Nina, Julie (happier at the longer distances), Sarah Miles, Elspeth, and Gail (who with 26 miles still in her legs struggled to complete 5k).

Sarah  is still there on the top of the Ladies' League now three points ahead of Kate who is only two points ahead of Clare, Julie is fourth. The threat is from Christine, who leads those who have run four races, Katy, who has taken the 60 points in all three races she has run, and Louise who won at Whitley. 

Tony took his second 3/4  60 points in four days. Gareth was second despite his marathon, Geoff third and Katy fourth. Then came Sarah, Christine, Don, Kate, Patrick, Ian and Angie.

The top of the 3/4 table reads very much like the main table; Tony, Don, Sarah, Kate, Clare and Ian. James has two wins in three races plus a second, behind Steve, at Sandstone.

Matt comfortably made it three wins out of three in 5/6 despite a 30 second PB by John. Owen was third then Huma, Roy (much happier on a course where it is speed that counts), Andrew, Penny, Monique, Nina, Simon (nothing like as happy on a course where it is speed that counts), Julie, Sarah, Elspeth, Gail and Martin.

Whilst Matt and John are the dominant forces in 5/6, it is Owen who moves to the top of the table. Julie is second, Roy is third and Martin fourth. Chris leads those who have run four races from Monique and Sarah.

Tony made it three wins out of five in the age/sex adjusted league. Damian was second, Ray third. Geoff was fourth then Christine, Kate, Clare, Ian, Katy and Patrick.

Tony stretches his lead at the top of the Age/Sex Adjusted table. Kate is second, Clare third then Ian, Don, Sarah, Roy, Julie, Owen and Martin. Damian leads those who have run four races and Graham those who have run three.

A two week gap to the Chester Half, a lot of variety in these early races,  and then to Hollins Green for another 5k .

Ian