The threatened late arrival of summer had not reached Macclesfield; 16o with a cool wind and in the latter stages a, not unwelcome, drizzle. It's five years since I've run Macc. I picked-up the over-60 prize then (this seems to have become a little harder as the race has matured) but this is a pleasant time of year to travel and, in truth, I've never greatly missed it; hilly half-marathons are for those made of sterner stuff.
Rob was 5th. and 1st.M45 (Runner of the Month is going to be interesting, as well as a number of good candidates there are three outstanding ones). Mike, another likely candidate, was 33rd., one place ahead of Graham.
Diane McVey was third lady, only a minute behind the winner. Janine managed to reverse Christine's recent ascendency. Christine was 1st.L45 and Diane Bygrave 1st.L35. Kate was a little closer to her usual self as was Clare, who fought off a late challenge from Angela. Melissa maintained the form she'd shown at Sutton and we had the, now, rare treat of a race from Amanda, her 2011 Series debut. Sue, who took ages to get going, has actually achieved her seven races with something to spare and this was a good time for someone who doesn't do hills. Sharon listened to everyone's advice to start more slowly, her conclusion "I finished more slowly as well", well let's see what the form scores say. Cat and Carolyn were on par, when you allow for the tougher course, with their Wilmslow performance but this was a stronger run from Sarah. Gail seems to have struggled.
Diane took her first League 3 60 points edging out Andy by two seconds with Steve not far behind. Allan was fourth followed Paul Garnett, Jarrod and Paul Norris.
League 4 league-leader, Geoff, was back after missing two races but outrun by Gavin, who must be another contender this month. Patrick was also unable to add to his points score as a great run from Janine moved her up the pecking-order. Jarrod and Geoff were given the same time, with Janine only five seconds behind. Christine was followed by Diane in her best run of the Series. Then Kate. Clare swapped places round the course with Ian but in the end Angela split them. James, Andy and Gareth finished within two seconds but it looked more like a pact than a competition.
Simon, having recorded his first League 5 win last week, made it two in a row. Melissa made it two second places in succession and Peter (another contender?) was again third and also 1st.M70. Amanda and Sharon pushed League 5 champion Chris down to sixth. Then came Cat, warming-up for next weekend, Carolyn, Sarah and Gail. Ned, who likes the Half, made his Series debut. Roy has been questioning all week whether to run, he may still be.
Enjoyed the noisy support from Alan, Soraya, Mike, Elspeth , Ray and there were probably others, I wasn't at my most perceptive.
I'll have a go on the impact upon the tables, Don will correct:-
Damian and Malcolm head the Main table, Rob, having completed his seven, comes in at third.
Jim, Graham MacNeil, Trevor, Tom, Andrew, Mike and Graham Screawn make-up the top ten.
Andy moves above Mick and Rob Gilbert.
Geoff moves above Jon & Gareth.
Christine moves above Matt & Andy Dodd.
Jarrod comes in at 26th.
Gavin moves above Ian, John, Steve Russell, Owen, Chris and Angela.
Ian moves above John.
Clare moves above Peter, Don and Gail.
Sue comes-in at 44th.
Sharon moves above Don, Gail, Roy and Nina.
Sarah moves above Julie and Trevor
Catriona comes in at 53rd.
Christine and Janine remain tied at the top of the Ladies table.
Kate, Angela, Clare, Soraya, Huma and Carolyn are unchanged.
Sue comes in at 9th., above Sharon but she holds-off Catriona who has also completed her seven.
Nina, Gail, Julie and Sarah hold station.
No changes at the top of the League 3; Mick, Tony, Paul Garnett, Andy, Paul Norris, Aron, Jon, Mathew and Gareth
Jarrod comes in at 10th.
Geoff, Patrick, Christine and Andy continue to lead League 4.
Gavin moves above Janine, Steve and Kate.
John, Peter, Ian, Owen, Angela and James are unchanged.
Clare goes above Huma.
Sue comes in below Don.
Chris has won League 5 and Alan will finish second.
Simon looks certain to take the third podium place ahead of Soraya and Peter.
Carolyn and Sharon head Cat who comes-in at 8th.
Then its Roy, Nina, Gail, Trevor, Julie and Sarah.
At least a dozen are running at Luberon next weekend (forecast 27o, Tom and Andy are doing the marathon but most settling for the Half). There's the potential of a lot of points going spare at Alexandra Park?
Ian