Poynton Village 10k

Sunday March 26^th.

Summer Series, race 2

A warm, sunny, windless Spring day was forecast but only after a potentially frosty night and a cold dawn. The latter was important, the race’s early schedule, 9:15, was compounded by the start of Summertime and the loss of an hour, so we lined-up with our body-clocks at 8:15. The temperature, however, was pleasant and conditions throughout were perfect for running.

It was a highly successful day. Rob Downs, was, as is his want ,2^nd., he had half-a-dozen seconds last year including this race. Di McVey was first lady, beating all but two of the men. In addition Janine Ellis, Nicky Mowat, Pete Stock, Tony Hulme and Ian Ashcroft won their categories.

The organisers had warned of mud, and Tony, who had tested the course on Thursday, confirmed. I like others opted for trail shoes, but it had dried-out and road flats would have been equally good. There was general agreement it was a great course, a good mix of road and trail. Although there was nothing steep the climb between 3k and 5k seemed to go on for ever. The bonus was that much of the second half was downhill and, unusually for me, the final kilometre was my fastest, which was fortunate because I had not appreciated Julie was so close.

Our second race with the new 2017 league tables. In League 1, Rob was followed by Di, Mike, Matt, Sharon and Tim.

Pete, fresh from his triumph in the Half, took League 2 from Paul, clearly now back to his best, Janine, Craig, Tony, Paul Norris and Ian Smallwood.

League 3 was won, as it had been at Cloud 9, by Sally Price. She was followed by Nicky, Gail, Angela, Patrick, Sally Gilliver, Mark, John and Catriona. Angela and Gail had both told me their legs were full of marathon training and this was going to be a gentle plod, I’ve heard it all before and took it with a pinch of salt, they soon disappeared into the distance.

In League 4, Colin and Rachael re-engaged after their tight finish at Cloud 9. Colin again got the verdict but they were given identical times. I edged Julie and Simon.

Everyone I spoke to really enjoyed the course, another triumph for The Coach. Delicious flapjacks and Paul sourced free coffee from Greggs.

Ian