Saturday July 27th.
Metres of ascent is not a statistic that I normally extract from my watch but, if assume that it is the appropriate criterion for classifying Meerbrook as the toughest race on our calendar, then would I be correct at 500m? Temperature, a statistic that has much occupied us of late, felt kinder, with decent cloud cover, but it was nevertheless 25o, although less humid than at Burtonwood. Two years ago, when the Wilmslow Series last visited Meerbrook, most of us treated it with massive respect, started slowly and enjoyed a successful run. Gail ran 13 minutes faster than in 2011, but overall the results this time were more mixed. There was also muttering, particularly from Alan, that he'd been promised a points bonanza and he'd been conned into a race that he wouldn't enjoy and wouldn't do well in. Sadly the latter prediction proved more accurate, although he was sanguine at the finish.
Andrew, fighting to regain league leadership, was our first runner and 10th. overall. Diane was our second runner and unusually nowadays second lady in the race, but second to Olivia is probably as good as it gets. Malcolm, on the comeback trail, was 22nd.
Allan was second to Diane in Division 2, Sharon beat Paul Garnett by 5 seconds, then came Ian and Richard. Pete, back from his triathlon season, he missed the cut to the Worlds despite a PB, was 1st. M55. followed by Paul Norris and Geoff.
The ladies took the team prize; Diane, Sharon, Janine, Nicky. Nicky took first L55, a very discreet birthday that one, and a whole host of club records in prospect.
Janine made it four Division 3 60-points in four races, Nicky, 4 seconds in front of Gavin, got 59 and Chris 57. I remember an excellent run here by Sally when she seemed barely was out of the maternity ward; she says doesn't like the heat and doesn't like long races but her results say something different. John too had a good day.
When you finally get to the 13k mark and the top of the final climb then what you want to do is admire the vista, with Tittesworth sparkling below, enjoy a relaxing downhill to the finish and reflect upon a good day's work. What you don't want is a group of four Wilmslow runners, with whom you've been swapping places all the way round, all gearing-up to give everything in the final two kilometres. I did, however, take pleasure in beating Angie by 9 seconds, almost exactly the measure of her victory over me two years ago but Rachael held me off by a similar margin.
Carolyn knew the final downhill was going to 'do' for her, losing-out to Angela by 3 seconds, but took the Division 4 60-points which ought to take her to the top of the table. Not far behind, ahead of Simon and Alan, was born-again Gail. Peter had a disappointing day but picked-up useful points ahead of Nina. Claire, who has been running better and better, discovered that sometimes your body doesn't want to play ball. Janet and Belinda both clearly enjoyed the experience.
Martin and Roy's support out on the course much appreciated.
It is an excellently organised race on a magnificent, if challenging, course with the prize-giving quickly after the race and the results speedily on the web.
Ian