Poynton 10k

2018 Race Series, race 2

Sunday March 25th.

Poynton was the embodiment of what Jan and I have tried to achieve in this year’s ‘not-the-Summer’ Series. An attractive race close to home. Organising has not been without its problems (Trafford, Hollins Green and the races chosen for the Cheshire Grand Prix) which only served to emphasise what a good job Tony did over the years.
The first problem of Poynton was that everyone else was equally enthusiastic, so it was no sooner announced than it was full, we had a good turnout but many were disappointed. Let’s assume it will be in the Series again next year and get our entries in even before the races for the 2019 Club Series are determined. The second downside was that Poynton has an indecently early start, 9:15, combine that with the loss of an hour with the clocks going forward and we were questioning as to whether we would need head-torches.
We woke to mist but the sun dispersed it before the start and shone on us throughout the race. There was little wind, in fact perfect Spring weather for running, what a difference a week makes. Actually I think we have probably been hardened by the ‘beast from the east’, once the race finished and the wind picked-up a little it felt cold, the thermometer showed only 5o on the way home.
Poynton is fun and varied but far from being a fast and furious PB course like Trafford, Paul says it is actually 10.5k. We have had a dry week but there was still a fair degree of mud and Amanda, for one, was suffering from a fall.
Richard was the race winner, by a country mile.
Andrew (M45), Sharon (F45), Tony (M70), Nicky (F55) and Simon (M55) were all age-category winners.
Tom (M60), Janine (F45), Amanda (F40) and Patrick (M65) notable runners-up.
A highly successful day out for Team Wilmslow.
Andrew 7th., Matt 44th., Tom 49th., Tim 53rd., Graham 54th.,Jarrod 59th., Sharon 70th. and Paul 87th. followed-in Richard in League One.
Sharon was our first, and the race’s 6th., lady. Janine was 7th., Amanda was 11th. and Diane 12th.
Richard Lawson won League 2 from Paul Garnett, Janine, Amanda, Diane and Tony.
In League 3, Colin, as he does, started slowly and then steadily worked his way ahead of everyone else. Patrick, however, fought back and retook the lead on the Middleton Way. Behind Col were Nicky, Nicola, Jan, John and Cat.
Rachael won League 4. She has the ability to be in a higher league were she able to race more often, but is at the stage of life when running has to take its place amongst a heavy list of commitments. Julie, Simon and I were close throughout the first half of the race and all came together at 5k. I expected them both to beat me and so, at 6k, decided to make a gesture, by going ahead. Just as we have days when we feel rotten, we also have days when everything falls into place and I surprised myself (and certainly them) by staying ahead. I was 2 minutes slower, but Simon and Julie also failed to match their times from last year.
Support from Sharon, Roy and Mike greatly appreciated. I gather Angela, starting out on her road to recovery was also there but I didn’t see her.
The flapjacks were again wonderful, the race well organised.