North West Counties Road Relays, Woodbank Park, Saturday 13th September
The Indian summer made for a hot circuit of Woodbank Park as Wilmslow did battle with the best of the North West (will it be as hot for the cross country next month?).
The distance was much shorter than usual for relays at just 3.6k (men and women did the same distance) but no less intense with the steep hill back from Vernon Park a real energy sapper.
Some excellent performances all round. The ladies fielded a mixed team (with both Cheshire and Manchester runners) and came 7th overall with Di running the third fastest ladies leg of the day.
The men had two teams, the first being our 'Cheshire' team who were second Cheshire team overall and 15th in the race. Damian was fastest Cheshire runner of the day with Pete fourth fastest. Our second team was another 'mixed' team.
Ladies:
7th Wilmslow 42:17 (number in brackets is overall position after each leg)
Katy Green (10) 14:06
Diane McVey (5) 13:06
Janine Ellis (7) 15:05
37 teams finished, fastest leg Tessa McCormick, Vale Royal: 12.40
Men:
15th Wilmslow (Cheshire team) 48:40
Damian Nicholls (8) 11:27
Trevor Morris (19) 12:44
Jim Pendrill (18) 12:36
Peter Speake (15) 11:53
44th Wilmslow (mixed team) 56:24
Robert Wilson (42) 13:07
Allan McCormick (34) 13:04
Paul Garnett (47) 15:55
Richard Hirons (44) 14:18
54 teams finished, fastest leg Pat Martin, Stockport: 10.46
Well done all, Jim
Well done to all who ran on this short but tricky route. Thanks also to all who organised it and Nicky and Tony for their support. This made my post race snack of a large cappuccino and vanilla slice from Greggs so much better and a bargin at £2.25.
Relays are very different, the running order,the ability to run under pressure,pace judgement,mental strength when on a leg where it appears that you are losing a number of places…A lot of tactics involved in deciding who is best at what part…Great fun though.
Nick