Summer Series – Race 17

 Gawsworth 10k

This was a day which parted company with tradition. Sir Nicholas, no longer the local MP, nothing to do with expenses scandal, was not there to welcome us. Stephen Feber, Wilmslow's own Gawsworth specialist, had injured his ankle racing in Cornwall.  The course, long famed for being 10k and a bit fell, had fallen in line with convention. My watch suggested that there might still be an extra bit on top of the 10k but this may simply have been poor navigation.

One tradition was maintained, Damian won. Another was that, whilst the numbers were high, 42, the emphasis was towards the more social end of the club; Group 5 & 6 accounting for half the Wilmslow runners. A frustration that has not been ironed-out is the fun-runners joining the 10k course at it narrowest point and increasing the queues over the styles as they chat and take a sip of water.

 Jim took third place and 1st.M40, Malcolm, combining runner and race organiser, 5th. and 1st.M45. Mark was 16th and Rob 22nd.

Andy Watts, James Eyre, Paul Norris and John Porteus took to 49 the names on the 2010 T-shirt and mug.

Andy jumped to 6th. position and James to 9th. but all those hoping for a top three finish must be looking down to 50th. and 51st. positions where Malcolm and Jim sit poised, each requiring one more race to qualify. Pete Stock moved above Don to 15th. Paul jumps to 18th., John to 28th., Andrew moved above Angela.

Clare celebrated her new category by being 1st.L50 and taking the 60 points for the third time this year. Sally took 59 and 1st.L45, Christine was third and then there were excellent runs from both Sue and Stefanie. Zoe had her first run in a Wilmslow vest.

The only change in the Ladies table was Angie adding a critical extra point to take her level with Janine. The table looks fairly settled but Clare's win squeezes Katy in second place and Steffi, Nicky and Cat are going to disturb things when they complete their seven.

League 3/4 is far from settled with Andy shaking the established order with a fourth win in his last five races and another 1st.M60. James completed his seven, 59 his highest score for some months. They were followed by Tony, Pete, Ian Smallwood and Paul Norris.

Whilst Steve and Tony remain one and two in the 3/4 table, below them much is changed. Andy and James are now 3rd. and 4th. Pete has moved-up to be level with Don at 10th. and Paul jumped to 12th. Chris has moved above Steve Russell into 17th.

Andy is has now become a real threat to Tony's second place and could even steal the title from Steve.

If 3/4 is close, then 5/6 is closer. On early season form, this was the race when John would have taken control of the table, but it didn't happen, he could only manage fifth. When John was first injured, Penny grabbed the initiative with four wins but then her chances were effectively ended by a broken toe.  Whilst Owen was leading the table, and grinding-out the points, he was not getting the wins and it was Andy who picked-up the baton from Penny, but, in another switch, Owen has taken 60 points both here and at Stainlands. Andy's 59 means he has closed on Owen but John, with five wins, is still best-placed to take the title. Sue and Steffi are too far adrift to win but, on current form, they could, as here, take points off the top four.  There was a real battle between the two of them and  John, Angela and Alan; five Wilmslow runners finishing within 26 seconds.

Sharon was 2nd.L40. Nina added Simon's scalp to Roy's but Simon maintained his place as the club's leading M65, Zoe splitting him and Peter. Chris and Roy are having an unhappy end to the season, Catriona has not really sparkled since London and Ramadan's not good for Huma's running. Good to see Trevor back (unless you're trying to overtake him).

Rob Downs, Jane Mulryan, Peter Bannister and Helen Crews were eliminated.

Steve Dempsey, James Wheeler, Mark Bale, Ray Eagle, Jamie Smith, Nicky Mowat, Catriona Marshall and Peter Watson need to run two of the last three races.

Ian