Summer Series Race 17 – Cheshire Grand Prix August 2015

Cheshire Grand Prix

Summer Series, race 17

Wednesday, August 5^th.

This was what Rod Coombs described as his valedictory race, he moves to Somerset. Newer members will not remember the fiercely competitive athlete of past years Four heart operatiop have limited both his running and the pace at which he can run. Rod was a great judge of pace and a metronomic runner. Off-road, I could often beat him but, on the road, I would simply slip-in behind him hope to stay there but invariably he broke me. With Roy and Stephen largely sidelined following their knee operations, and Peter not having raced since his collapse with heart failure, it might seem that a generation is passing-on, but Wilmslow has, seemingly, an endless production-line which continues to dominate the “masters” categories.

Pie & Peas might sound a fun event but attracts top athletes, Vale Royal took the first seven places, two of them filled by ladies. Andrew was our first runner, in 10^th. place. He strengthened his position at the top of the Summer Series competition. Barry was only 7 seconds behind in 11^th. Tom, inevitably Ist M60, was 22^nd , Mike just behind Di in 32^nd., then Nick, 34th., James, 43^rd., and Allan, 45^th..

Diane McVey was 3^rd. lady and first vet. Diane Bygrave 3^rd.F40, then Zoe, Nicky, 1^st.F55, Huma, 1^st.F45 and Kate, 1^st.F50.

You’ll need to watch the website for the impact of the race on the Cheshire Grand Prix.

The threatened rain started at the worst time, five minutes before the start, which, with the dive through the hedge and leaps over the hurdles in the children’s playground, has the feel of the Grand National. It rained heavily in the first mile but then settled down into a pleasant, cool evening, perfect for running.

Jarrod won the League 2 60-points. Matt continues to run well but is troubled by calf and Achilles problems. A good doctor would diagnose over-running and prescribe resting for the remainder of August as the route to a successful autumn. Richard was third and then Mick, 1st. M65. That we also took 2^nd. and 4^th. in the M65 category (Andy and Ian) despite Tony saving himself for Thursday’s Staffordshire Moorlands race underlines the point I made in the opening paragraph.  Paul was the final League 2 runner, but he was just off the plane from Sicily.

Competition for the two promotion places in League 3 is starting to get very interesting. Christian, who has now won his last two races, edged-out Diane, who won at Bollington  Andy beat Gareth, who shares league-leadership with Tony. Zoe was ahead of Nicky then came Huma and Patrick.

Jon made a fast start but Bernard begins more conservatively. He overtook Jon after 3 miles, initially starting to pull away only for Jon to threaten again back on the road. After two miles I was keeping company I haven’t enjoyed all this year. Gail was below par, she looks like someone who has done too many hard miles. The best thing for her running would be two weeks on the sunbed, even more beneficial if she can avoid over-indulgence in the dining-room. Chris hasn’t really been fit since he was elected chairman, a victim of trying to do far too many races and, even now, not fully fit, he is probably guilty of too much running. John won promotion last year but this year has lacked consistency. Sally has been well-ahead all year but I took hope in her slowing in the second-half of The Port, but in fact, here, she was struggling with a stich. Suddenly the people I hoped I might just manage to keep-up with were behind me and I had seen nothing of Clare and Angela. Kate remained in front, I held-it-together until the end, but never quite threatened Kate. James’s running was picking-up momentum in the late Spring but now again he lacks training miles. Colin followed James.

I’m told Rachael was carrying a handicap, she just squeezed-in, in the nick of time, her seventh race, that will almost certainly give her the League 5 championship, and a pyric promotion. Jan normally only runs well at Christmas but is showing early form and was delighted to beat Simon, who nevertheless took the M70 prize.  Sue, who hasn’t raced sufficiently consistency since her marathon, finished in front of both Leanne and Simon. It looks like Carolyn and Andy, neither 100% fit, took an evening stroll together. Cat, back from 900 miles on the bike, which deadens the legs, ran within herself. Then came Elspeth and finally Rod. Rod is limited by his heart but perhaps also by a lessened commitment to training miles and perhaps even, it might appear, from the occasional business lunch.

Thanks to Tony, Roy and Mike for support.

Ian