Hollins Green 5k
4:30 on a hot Saturday afternoon in half-term week held promise of some good Summer Series points, but it wasn't to be. Tony had stressed our need for the Cheshire Grand Prix and Group 1 emerged from their post-London hibernation. Kate was off enjoying herself elsewhere but had made sure that the Ladies were also there in strength, including Jane and Janine both making their debuts in a Wilmslow vest. Quality as well as quantity so all the sweat brought little in the way of Summer Series points and not exactly PB weather either, 24o, although I heard Steve Smith got one.
Damian won the race, Jim was 11th., Rob 13th. and Trevor 20th. Together they made Wilmslow the winning club. Rob was 2nd.M45. James Wheeler, finishing 53rd, was the 5th. Wilmslow runner. Just to see Nick, even in the early stages, struggling with his calf was painful but at least it keeps his mind off his groin injury.
Race 7 brings to an end the first phase of the Series. My comments on the tables are subject to confirmation, or more likely, correction from Don. Clare Hawkes and Julie Lucas became the first names on the 2010 T-shirt and mug. They also lead the main table but may not still be there when we're struggling up the Langley hill in the November mist and rain. In fact their glory might not last a week; Damian leads those who have completed six races followed by Tony, Richard, Don, Kate, Sarah, Christine, Ian, Owen, Roy, Monique and Martin.
Giles and Martin Mulryan, making their Summer Series debuts, Rob, Jim, Jane and Janine increase to 71 the participants in this year's competition.
Lots of vocal support included an injured Mick and Angie, who preferred a training run and the pub to racing.
Louise beat Katy to first Wilmslow lady, making this two wins in two races. They were followed by Christine, Clare, Nicky, Jane, Janine, Penny, Sharon, Soraya, Monique and Gail. Louise was 1st., and Katy second, L35. Nicky was 2nd.L50 and Jane 2nd.L55. Janine, Christine and Penny were 3rd. L40, L45 and L50 respectively.
The Ladies team (Louise, Katy, Christine) finished third behind Vale Royal and Spectrum with Wilmslow 2 (Clare, Nicky, Jane) finishing 5th.
Clare heads the Ladies' table, Julie has also completed her seven races. On six races we have Kate, Sarah Waite, Christine and Monique. Katy now has four wins and a second, then come Penny, Sarah Miles and Gail who have completed four.
Steve made it three wins in three races in Group 3/4. James Eyre made it two wins and two second places. Peter has a third to add to his second. 4th. was Louise, then Tony, an excellent 1st.M60, Richard, Katy, Don, Geoff, Christine, Giles, Clare, Nicky, Jane, Janine and Ian.
Clare is also top of the 3/4 table. Tony heads those who have run six races followed by Richard, Don, Sarah, Kate, Christine and Ian. Katy has run five. James Eyre heads those who have run four.
Penny had her first 5/6 victory of this season followed-in by Chris. Then, in less than a minute, there were six Wilmslow runners; Sharon five seconds ahead of a tiring Owen, who escaped by six seconds from the humiliation of being beaten by Roy, whose pride was saved only by two seconds from Simon, who doesn't 'do' 5ks but managed in the final kilometre to haul-in Rod, who thought it was a 1k race. Then another 18 seconds to Soraya who says she doesn't like the heat but managed to finish looking remarkably cool. Monique was not far behind this Wilmslow cluster then a gap to Julie and Gail and finally Martin and Martin (but he beat the half-hour you might note).
Julie retains her place as pace-setter in 5/6. Positions two to five are also unchanged; Owen, Roy, Monique and Martin. Chris and Rod move up a place. Matt, Sarah and Penny complete the top ten. Matt remains unbeaten.
I'll comment on age/sex taking Hollins Green and Bowdon together.
History suggests that Bowdon will be about 17 second faster than Hollins Green, that's if you are Damian, 25 seconds if you are Group 5. The temperature promises to be kinder on Thursday and it is a PB course on which most people do their best 5k of the year. Combine this with it being local and based at a good pub and you will understand why it is always one of the most popular races. Do it for a time, don't expect many Series points.
Ian
Tables now updated – Don