Woodford 10k

Summer Series, Race 18

Woodford, after Shelf Moor, should have been a walk in the park. Perhaps if you're Rob Downs it was, but talking with two other refugees from last Sunday, Kate and Julie, we three all had one of those days when, for no explicable reason, the body is lethargic and the legs are heavy. Julie thought it might be the heat, she prefers it cool, it was hot, but I like it hot, so was bereft of any plausible excuse. Rob was looking around before the race for the late appearance of a super-star, he'd come second the two previous years. Damian , we knew, was at Gawsworth. Rob's Olympic torch was on display, you could be photographed with it in return for a charitable donation. After the race, I heard that people were asking to be photographed with the man himself instead.

Only three years old, and not attached to a running club, the race was predominantly a charity run for the locals plus a stage of the Wilmslow Summer Series, with no great presence from other running clubs.

Jim was 3rd. and 2nd.M40 to Rob, Robert 7th.and 3rd. M40, Graham MacNeil 4th. and 1st. M50, Thomas 12th., Graham Screawn 14th., Mark 20th. and Rob Gilbert 23rd.

Diane took won the ladies' prize, her second win of the weekend. Sharon Johnstone was our second, and the race's third, lady. Janine was 2nd.F40. Nicky was 1st.F50. with Kate 2nd.

Graham Taylor was 11th. overall and made it it four division 2 wins in his last four races. Craig who finished 17th. was next  followed by Diane,  Paul Garnett, Sharon , Aron, Richard and Geoff, who was 1st. M60. There could not have been a bigger contrast than with Teggs Nose, when there was only one division 2 runner, for we then had Ian , Allan, Jon, Paul Norris and Gavin, who was 2nd. M60.

Gareth made it five wins in five races in division 3. Matt had his best race on the flat, just ahead of Janine. Then came Nicky, Chris, Sally, Kate, Alan, Patrick, Andy, James  and Ian.

Sharon maintained her dominance of division 4 but was not far ahead of Simon who regained his supremacy over Julie. Then came Janet and Elspeth, both continuing to improve,Janet was in front of me from 3k to 6k, Elspeth just behind as we crossed the footbridge.  Judith moved up the rankings ahead  of Peter and Roy. Gail, sporting her Turkish tan, was followed by Leanne. Rod had had his heart re-started in the week but it wasn't listening to the call of his legs.

Encouragement from Angela and trackside coaching from Tony was much appreciated.

A few of us had run Woodford last year and enjoyed it, with 44 in the blue and gold this year,we'll get a better feedback.

Ian