Air Products Crewe 10k

Summer Series, Race 5 

Cheshire Grand Prix

Sunday April 5^th.

The forecast was 10^o and dry but, with a heavy mist, the thermometer was showing only 3^o as I turned into the university car park. It warmed-up, but the sun did not break through until after the finish so, if a bit cool for oaps, with no wind, most would have seen it as perfect running conditions. Easter family commitments and marathon training had limited the Wilmslow entry but Grand Prix status meant we had some quality here, particularly amongst the ladies.

 The Crewe industrial park is not the most scenic venue but, although it is generally regarded as a slower course than Trafford, as we were to see, PBs are not out of the question. In fact our times suggest that, this year, Crewe proved to be the faster of the two courses.

 Peter beat some very good runners to finish 3^rd. Andrew was 19^th. and Tom 26^th.

 I’d be grateful if others could use ‘comments’ to add category and team successes.

 Sharon was our first lady followed by Katy, fresh from a brilliant time at Wilmslow, Janine and Louisa, who brought her off-road form to the tarmac.

 Sharon also took the League 2 60 points, from Katy, Mick, in-form Paul Norris, Janine, despite his health problems Paul Garnett, Louisa and Jarrod.

 Tony’s recovery from injury knows no bounds; 60 points in League 3. Then came Christian just ahead of Gareth followed by Chris, with yet another PB, and finally, a struggling, John.

 League 4 has been less competitive this year than last but, with Crewe seeing Bernard back for his second win and Sally and James making their first appearances of 2015, we were made to work harder for our points. Bernard stormed to a big PB, Sally was a good second. Gail ran a negative split catching a tiring James at 8k and the lack of miles in the legs cost him a further place to Ian.

 Simon has set out his stall for an immediate bounce back to league 4 but, as at Trafford, Nina had too much pace for him and took the 60 points.  League 5 was on Easter Parade providing 10 of the 32 Wilmslow runners. Only 10k this Sunday was perhaps light relief for Elspeth. Jan’s out of sorts but now she’s  retired…? Julie’s had a miserable start to the season but is clearly getting over her shoulder op. with what was, in the circumstances, an excellent run. Don is steadily accumulating Series points. This is all a bit short and a bit flat for Sarah and for Belinda and Martin, I suspect that completion of the course is sufficient reward in itself.

Ian

PS. Gail used this lady as a pacer then … !!

Don