Summer Series, Race 12
As on Thursday we arrived to warm sunshine but again the threat of rain during the race. The threat, however, never materialised and, on a day when there were flood warnings across the country, we enjoyed perfect, wind-free, running weather, although the ground conditions, unsurprisingly,were frequently soggy. The other major contrast with Roaches was the numbers; a points feast on Thursday with only 30 blue and gold vests, whereas Bollington was famine. We dominated the race, 49 of us, although Sue's asthma meant she didn't finish. After running so well last year, 2012 has been a struggle for Sue.
If Thursday was Malcolm, Sunday was Rob. He took 2nd. and 1stM40. And a surprise, he started late, didn't wear a club vest and I don't see him in the results, but it was good to have a cheery, chatty Damian moving through the field. Trevor was 1st.M50 and 6th, Mike 10th., Stuart (a long time since we last saw Stuart) 13th., Graham 14th., and Thomas (I think this was Thomas's debut, welcome) 15th.
Allan, one second behind Thomas, again won division 2 followed by Jeremy, Ian and Diane. Nick
survived; the height of his ambition at present.
Diane was first lady overall. Janine was 1st.F40, Nicky 2nd.F50 then Louisa and Kate.
Gareth, who'd not done the Nostalgia before, was nevertheless first in division 3, breaking Louisa's winning sequence. She was fifth, also behind Janine, Nicky and Matt.
Sharon's beginning to look unbeatable in division 4, although Julie, who got ahead of Simon here, did so on home territory at Boar's Head. Nina, another good run,was fourth then Carolyn and Don. Brave stuff from Elspeth and Gail, good to see Cat getting back into it.
Bollington was, for me, a bonus, a second unscheduled race, thanks to the Chinese authorities who, at the last minute, withdrew our visas for Tibet. Not one, on the day, however, of which I managed to make much of a fist.
Thanks to Christine and Dave for officiating and support from Mike and Andy (Roaches legs?)
Ian
I love watching races,the view from Bridge 22 was an ideal viewpoint to see the 48 WRC Runners that took part.
From seeing Rob, in 2nd, chasing down what was the fastest looking 16 year old I had ever seen, to an unvested unnumbered Damian, who declared he was just out for a plod, he was in 4th.
Many battles were underway. Gavin, Gareth and Nick in a line as they ran up the Bridge steps, 4 yards seperating them all. Janine, I thought Janine couldn’t run Fell Races?, just behind Dr Matt, she looked strong, Matt looked worried. Louisa ‘4 x 60 Group 4 Points’ Harrison looked to be struggling, knew I should have run. Then came Amanda, Breamie and Chris, Amanda barely out of breath, Pete barely with any breath, and Chris, though looking tired, very determined.
Simon ‘Bambi On Ice’ Fenton looked to have his work cut out with Julie, whilst the Group 4 winner Sharon looked relaxed and seemed to be enjoying herself. Roy,though a bit pale, probably a late night, looked steady, followed by Ian, who after being blocked from leaving the country gave it a valant effort, cycling legs?. Our final two came along with big smiles to match there big efforts, Gail and Elspeth.
Only 15 seconds seperated so many WRC runners, it would seem in the final 2 miles some great battles were had.
Great to watch.
Andy (Achillies Issues)
Thanks to the WRC runner who bought me a French Fancy at the end. Much obliged!
Apologies to Graham, who in my report, I robbed of the Division 2 win. He was first, Thomas second and Allan third.
A classic Summer Series race with the varied terrain giving everyone a chance to have at least one good patch to chase down their rivals. It was great to see the blue and gold vests swarming down the last hill and in to the finish. The tea and cakes went down well too. Thanks to the Bollington organisers and Dave & Christine for running the finish.
Rob
Great support from Mike, Martin and Doddy although they were clearly enjoying themselves as much as we were!
So nice to do a race without rain!! Thanks to the supporters – Martin, Mike and then Doddy bravely sitting on the bridge over the canal made me laugh, especially after his fear of water last week in the Whaley Waltz.
Some pictures on:
http://www.stevehartley.me/Sports/Bollington-Hill-Race-2012/24044593_g2SHfD#!i=1952316696&k=NvDf9xH
We scooped the men’s team prize so I have beer for Mike and Trevor (Morris) which I’ll bring to the club tomorrow.
Presumably by then the framed photo of Damian will have also been installed in the ladies changing room.
Great to see so many of you Wilmslow folk at the start for this one. Not so happy to see so many of you passing me along the towpath! Made my trip daan saaf (and yet still relatively up no’orth) that bit more worth it to see such a healthy field taking part. Even gave you guys a cheeky wee mention in my ramblings http://thatbowdenguy.blogspot.co.uk/
I don’t want to let this occassion go without mentioning the fact that both Simon and Julie ran all the way up the first big grassy hill of Bollington without walking once. Due to Simon’s mincing, Roy, Melissa and I stormed past him on the big descent, but I knew that wouldn’t stick. Simon came strolling past Melissa & I as soon as it levelled out. Nina also made up real ground after the canal tow path to pip me at the post. Good running to all, made it a fun race!
Wow how do they do it…..?? I needed a chair-lift to get me up those hills… way to go guys! Big thanks to Elspeth for supporting and sticking with me on the ups….thanks 🙂
For the first time in a long time I felt competitive for the first 40 minutes, up until the canal towpath, where my lack of training through injury caught up and I lost 7 places and 4 minutes between there and the finish! At one point before the canal I was even closing on Sharon! It can only get better – can’t it?
It can and it will…
We just wanted to say a BIG thank you for all your help with the race. Everyone seemed to really enjoy the whole event once again.
With such brilliant support, we managed to raise over £950 for the Bridgend funds – absolutely fantastic! Thanks again.
Ann Mayer
Bridgend Centre
I’m impressed that you all *ran* up the big Bollington hill. Jack Ross who won *walked* a couple of short steeper sections and I joined him for a couple of steps before I briefly overtook him. It was a good job that Malcolm wasn’t there to steam past both of us.
Thanks Ann for a great race, excellent marshals and fine cakes.
Rob
Lucky guys….. I didn’t get to taste the cake, missed out on that delight….. Guess I will have to run faster next time…!!! Aka Whinjy Whale 🙂