Summer Series – race 21
Sunday October 30
A new race for the Series, promoted as a gruelling nine miles.
I'm easily frightened by words like 'gruelling' and travelled with the intent of taking it steadily in the early stages, feeling my way into the race and then, perhaps, picking-up places in the later stages. However, talking with those better briefed, suggested an absence of hills, just stiles and mud. Stiles call for a different tactic; start fast. In fact I followed neither tactic, it was one of those days when your legs feel like lead and tactics are irrelevant, you just want to get to the finish with a bit of self-respect intact. That said I can't blame the course, 'gruelling' offended the trades description act and, if you want mud, can I recommend Boggart Hole Clough?
The course looped-back on itself and we had an opportunity to see Jim, Tom and the other leaders. Unusually we also saw Malcolm in the latter stages, he'd decided to give us a start. Jim was 3rd., Tom 6th., Graham 11th. and Andrew 12th.
Diane was first Lady in the race meaning Louise had to settle for 6 wins out of 7 in the Series. A return to form for Kate, third, followed by Nicky, Janine, Christine, Louisa ,Zoe, Carolyn, Elspeth and Gail.
James took his fifth League 3 win of the Series followed by Steve, Allan, Mick, Ian, Tony, Paul, Louise, Matt and Jonathan.
Gavin won for the fourth time in League 4 followed by Kate, Nicky, Janine, Christine ,Louisa, Andy , John, Zoe, Ian and James. I spent the first mile with Simon, sure that off-road wouldn't play to his strengths. Chris and Alan were ahead but both tend to slow in the second half of a race. Louisa came past in mile 3. I was aware of James just behind me for a number of miles but, horror of horrors, it was not he, but Simon, who overtook me in mile 7, followed almost immediately by Zoe.
Chris held off a challenge from Alan, the story of the year in League 5. Simon was followed by Carolyn and Roy. Gareth escorted Elspeth round and then, the biggest cheer of the day, Gail, chaperoned by Patrick. She and Janine shared gold for fancy dress, I particularly liked the tights. Trevor brought home the Wilmslow contingent.
Current results don't give category positions, can you 'comment', please.
Will come back with age/sex adjusted results and comments on the final tables.
Last gasp names on T-shirts and mugs; James Eyre, Steve Smith, Louise Rudd and Nicky Mowat.
Ian
Ian,I dont want to rub salt in the wound but I waited around for the best part of Sunday for the presentation and got the over 65.Mick got over 60.Men and ladies both won the team prize.After that it was complicated by no person getting two prizes,so if they were in the first six they didn’t get the vets prize as well which took out Jim and Tom.Christine,Janine and Nicky all won vet prizes but this was possibly down to Kate etc finishing in the first six.See you tonight.
Simon Fenton