Sutton 10k

Cheshire Grand Prix

Summer Series, race 19

 First of a flurry of Grand Prix races to finish the Summer Series season. A large Wilmslow entry and, despite being denuded of some Group 1 for Saturday’s relays, there was sufficient quality for this not to be a day for garnering points, unless, of course, you were scrambling for your 7, or 12, races. 

As did many others we came to a halt on the M56 for half-an-hour as the Cheshire police did their Rawhide bit corralling horses who were enjoying the freedom of the motorway. Perhaps the same ones that caused a problem at the Wilmslow Half?

Peter Watson was running his first race since the inconvenience of his heart stopping after a training run and his life being saved by the knowledge and actions of his fellow runners. The cause was never diagnosed and the experts confirmed our view, that Peter is as fit as a fiddle. which is actually more worrying than re-assuring.

Barry in 7^th led Wilmslow home. Andrew was 11^th. and 2^nd. M45, James 30^th., Mike 32^nd. , Allan 44^th. and Craig 73^rd.

Brian again proved too strong for League 2, even Sharon who was 1st. F40. Janine was 1^st. F45 followed by Matt and Mick who was 1^st. M65. I overheard a conversation before the race,”no hope today, Mick Fairs is running”. Paul was 3^rd.M55, then Jarrod and Andy, 2^nd.M65, despite being a domestique on the Bob Graham on Saturday. 

Christian notched-up another League 3 victory. Diane was 2^nd.F40, then Gareth, Geoff, Zoe 3^rd.F40, Nicky another 1^st.F55, Huma 3^rd.F45,  Patrick, John and Chris. 

Bernard is starting to dominate League 4, he and Sally were quickly out of sight. With little expectation of scoring points a good turn-out from League 4 greatly added interest. Gail was out of sorts and I passed her at 3k. I was surprised to pass Angela, although she is generally better at the longer distances. Sharon was doing her run-a-bit, walk-a-bit routine. Unusually, I actually overtook her when she was running, but at Llyn Brenig she had got her act together in the second half  and beaten me, I wasn’t confident of staying ahead. Clare is a better runner than me except downhill on rough ground and, with neither in evidence, despite moving in front, I did not expected to finish ahead. James’ life gets in the way of him doing sufficient running and I felt I would overhaul him, as I had done in the past, as the race reached its latter stages. He sustained his pace down the long A51 straight, I still expected him to fade on the uphill over the last 2k but he stayed strong. So I’d settled for 57 points, a useful safety-net in case someone knocks me off my Parkrun perch, only to hear, 800m to go, encouragement from Gail, who’d found a second wind. She ran with me encouraging and pulling me faster but I knew I was dead. Cat’s making a great late bid to get her 7 races, not easy when you work on the south coast.

Jan, whose form is somewhat variable, had one of her good days beating Simon who, unusually, was beaten to the M70 prize. Elspeth had an interesting race but clung –on whilst Julie was 3^rd.F50 with Leanne close behind.  Peter was the last Wilmslow runner but the one who will go home most achieved from the day’s work.

Thanks to Mike and Angus for support.

Ian