Buxworth 5-mile

Summer Series Race 4

Wednesday May 1st.

Buxworth is billed as successor to Shady Oak , a race we should remember for hill, I've walked it a number of times. However, imprinted in most of our minds is the night of lashing rain and howling gale.

Fittingly therefore we arrived at the Navigation arms to a perfect Spring evening . Perfect, that is for a pint and a bar meal, the race itself had the frightening description of 'hilly'. The Navigation tell me they serve breakfast from 8:30am, I felt sure I'd back in time. 'Hilly' had not had the desired effect, a sea of blue and yellow vests. No points bonanza tonight. 57 of us? Don will doubtless confirm if that is a record, apologies in advance if you don't get a mention below, a lot of its random chance of who I chat with afterwards, well possibly not random, more likely to be my fellow also-rans than the stars. Please compensate by using the 'comment' button below and tells us what was happening in your bit of the race, there were a lot of neck-and-neck finishes.

Andrew, 8th., was our first runner, Jim two places and 13 seconds back with Barry 6 seconds behind Jim. Tom, presumably first M>50 a further place back in 12th.

Diane McVey was our, and the race's, first lady.

Nick took the Division 2 60-points. Jeremy, back from a triumphant marathon, was one place and 3 seconds behind Di despite having apparently cycled there, not the gentlest of rides. He took the place away from James, who went too early with his finishing sprint and then also lost out from Mike. Mark Bradbury edged Craig by 2 seconds

Louisa took Division 3, and a lot of Division 2 scalps. She was followed by Janine, Diane Bygrave and Steve Russell. Zoe's final burst just failed to catch Nicky but kept her out of Chris's clutches.

The course looked to be two and a half miles up and then the same down. My standard tactic is to try to keep Simon in sight as I shuffle up the hill and then catch him as he minces down. The first mile is a fairly gentle climb up but then as the gradient kicked-in Huma and I passed Sue. Then a new sensation for me. I'm working with Sally Gilliver as a personal trainer and I can already feel the difference, my 'core' is strong, and is driving my legs up the hill (read Carolyn's 'column' in the newsletter). I can see John and Amanda ahead. Huma's doing a 'Lymm', walking but then sprinting passed me when I overtake. But I lead her over the brow, cheered-on by Mike, and Simon's not come through. Chris tells me the view's magnificent from the top but my concentration is elsewhere, Huma, she's good downhill. I'm flat-out and start to catch Jamie but then he pulls away. I will myself not to look back until the finish, she's just behind me, with Simon a little back.

The authorities are reviewing the Division 3/4 split. I think it will conclude with Huma having taken the 60-points followed by Sue, Claire, Peter and Julie.

Sue's had a good one. Julie's still below par but improving from her chest infection. Cat continues to make the most of minimal mileage. Gail, having caught Trevor at 4 miles, produces a Usain Bolt finish. Trevor, brave as ever, emerges from descending gloom as the evening draws to a close .

My thanks to Richard who helped me with notes from further up the field.

Tony made a spirited defence of Lymm, I'm sure that's not going to be necessary this week. I thought Buxworth a great race (could even afford a pint afterwards) and would like to be first to lobby for its inclusion next year.

Holidays mean I miss the next three races. It would be good if someone could take-on doing a race report and that others could come-in with comments. In an ideal world a few of us would take turns reporting on races, having the same person each time tends to make the content too predictable.

 Ian