Bollington Nostalgia Hill Race

Sunday July 10

Summer Series, race 14

Damian made it two wins in two days with his victory Saturday at Buxton and three in four days with the Wizard 5.

 People said how hard the race was. It was probably made tougher by the wet conditions, although the threatened downpour during the race turned-out to be the odd spit of drizzle. I’m not sure it was significantly harder than previous years, it’s just that’s it’s such a good course that, even if you run badly, you quickly forget the pain and remember only the pleasure you feel when you finish.

Our Men (Damian, Barry, Andrew) made it two team wins in two days, surprisingly in these days of supposed equality there was no Ladies’ team prize, but the thought was that Macclesfield might have pipped us.

Bollington brought-out its finery for the occasion; the MP started the race and the mayor gave away the prizes. The mayor seemed very reluctant to shake our hands but no doubt as well as being muddy we didn’t smell too good. In Damo’s absence, I managed to persuade him that I finished second and collected the cup, medal and fizz. I’ll bring them down Tuesday, the cup and medal are safe but I wouldn’t give good odds on the fizz lasting much longer. I also have Mike’s over 40 bottle of rosé, you also need to get down on Tuesday.

It was pleasantly warm, perhaps veering to the humid but muddy in places and slippery on the descent.

We tend to always numerically dominate this race. In addition to Damian, Mike and the Men, Diane was 1^st. F40, Nicky 1^st. F50, and, after a steward’s enquiry, Tom 1^st.M60. M70 proved to be between Simon and myself, in truth, neither of us put in a performance deserving of winning it.

Barry was 4^th., Andrew 6^th. (another winner at Buxton), Mike 10^th., Tom 12^th., Vincent 13^th, Allan 15^th. and James 18^th.

Diane had a great run and was our first lady and second lady overall. Louisa and Janine were second and third Wilmslow lady.

Matt again won League 2 from Diane, Ian, Peter, Louisa, and Janine.

Gareth chalked-up his 7^th. League 3 win of the Series. Bernard was second ahead of Tony and Andy who, after a long lay-off with his knee, has found form remarkably quickly. Nicky was followed Mark and Sally. Most people would find Sally’s very slow start a psychological disadvantage but she seems adept at picking her way through the field despite her calf significantly reducing her training miles.

Chris continues having to drag his hamstrung leg round races with him, though he seems to do it effectively, and Patrick, who normally does battle with Nicky, was struggling with a similar problem. Huma can hopefully get her running back in order having exited the cruelty of a June Ramadan.

James made it 7 wins out of 7 and, provided he can avoid injury, looks likely to coast League 4. Sally has run consistently well this year and continues to dispute second place. Gail’s comeback maintained its advance but Angela carried an Achilles problem and it was not Carolyn’s day.

Catriona made it 4 out of 4 in League 5. Julie beat both Ian and Simon. Roy ran strongly for the first two miles but lost-out to Simon on the towpath. All guts from Elspeth who handled the tough first two miles well but then lost ground on the descent and flat. Don was sweeper.

Support from Martin, Tim and Mike appreciated.

P.S.       My stats (which take account of a different mix of Wilmslow runners) say that we ran 1% slower than last year, for someone near the middle that’s a minute.