Summer Series – Crewe 10k March 2013

Easter Sunday, March 31st.

It was -2^o  when I left Wilmslow and had only crept to zero on arrival at Crewe. But it felt a very different day to last Sunday; the sun was shining, there was no biting wind. It was fragile, however, just before the start the sun went behind a cloud and a breeze  picked-up, those who had opted for just a vest were wondering about their decision. Apparently it was the coldest Easter Day for 50 years (a chilling thought is that one or two of us might have produced a better time in 1963).

On the whole, though, it was a perfect Spring setting for two laps round the Crewe Industrial Estate.

I had expected, it being a bank holiday weekend, that numbers would be down. They were, but the
wrong way round. A number of the big names were missing for the Grand Prix whereas my fellow ‘also-rans’ were there in force to steal all the Summer series points. The results shouldn’t be taken as too much of an indicator, those at the peak of their training for the London and Manchester Marathons were coming off a week of heavy mileage.

Peter Speake with a suberb 3rd. place led the Wilmslow contingent home. Tom, 1st.>55,was 15th., Rob Wilson, 3rd.>45, was 32nd. and Graham Taylor 43rd.

Rob Gilbert took the Division 2 60 points. He was followed by Nick Bishop, Richard Hirons, Paul Garnett, Tony , who was 1st.>65, Christopher Grime, I believe makinghis Series debut, Gareth and Matt Taylor.

Alan Turner is enjoying a purple patch where every race is a PB, a second at 10k this month. He added to this, for the first time, the Division 3 60 points. He was followed by Janine, who was 2nd. L>40, Kate who was 2nd. L>50, Jamie, who was 2nd. M>65 and Patrick. Chris Cannon, who hadn’t enjoyed the last 5 miles last week, bounced back with a PB over the shorter distance. Sally was followed by Sharon, whose watch registered her first-ever 10k that started 45 minutes,only to be cruelly robbed by the official clock . Next was Andrew. Clare and Ian were tied together for the second successive week but Clare had the pace to gain revenge in the last 800m. Simon, who has chosen to devote his dotage to a church conversion in Over Alderley, rather than pipe and slippers and a warm fire, is paying the penalty, the cold wind and sub-zero temperatures aregetting to his chest. He made a brave attempt to catch Carolyn but it has been a difficult week.

Angela and Ian were second and third in Division 4. Both are past division winners but were relegated after losing the plot in 2012. The authorities are unlikely to allow them to luxuriate at the lower
level for many races. The star of division 4, however, is Huma. Taking the 60-points at Cloud 9, she repeated that performance here and also ran a good Wilmslow. We’ve always known that her potential well exceeded her  ‘track record’ but every time she has hit avein of form the old injuries have bitten back. For the present, however, shecan indulge herself in the glory of league leader. Carolyn started strongly and, although she could not maintain the pace on the second lap, a PB was in the bag.  She’s likely to be in contention title come the Autumn.  Nina, despite not being able to make training as often as she would like, managed an impressive time.  Roy’s showing  2103 could be a good year, not sure if another ‘skinny’ campaign is on the cards for this year, maybe after so many female runners mistook him for Damian last time. Julie is still ‘under the weather’ but on the road to recovery, she should now start to move up.  Janet, Wilmslow Handicap Champion, was disappointed
with her time after a PB at Trafford.  Crewe is a slower course but she didn’t run as well. Elspeth progressed as much of anyone in the club in 2012 and hopefully can pick-up this year from where she left-off. Judith was 1st. Lady>55. It looked like we might have an Easter treat in the form of a Gail vs. Trevor finishing sprint but Gail managed to gain enough yardage to frustrate Trevor’s ambition. Martin made the marshals pleased that the sun was shining.

Best wishes to Rod recovering from a four-hour heart op.

Ian