Wednesday July 27
When I run the Forest 5, I always remember the 2004 Summer Series, when I battled all the way round the course with Mike Hall. Mike was a violinist in the Halle, a footballer and a mountaineer; he and his wife died in an avalanche in the Alps.
This was a still, warm evening, almost sultry. Again it was dry, the reservoir noticeably low. Only a month after the solstice, but , already, as we drifted away, a sunset, impressive despite a poor forecast.
Damian won, Malcolm was 4th. Malcolm is in a rich vein of form with three 60s and three 59s in his last six races, conceding best only when Damian is running. Trevor was 8th., Tom 9th., Mike 10th. and Rob 14th.
Not a day for points for a lot of the rest of us, midweek races tend to attract higher numbers, even at the height of the holiday season.
Ascent and descent on the course clearly balance out. However, dependent upon the gradients, some hilly courses favour the climbers others the downhillers; in my view this is definitely a climbers' race.
Janine in the end got the better of Louisa to be leading Wilmslow lady for the first time. The two of them had to battle it out with Nicky, who was brought to a temporary halt with some physiological in-balance, Di and Angela . Sarah, who had struggled with the small hill at Moonraker, was more of her old self on this much more challenging terrain. Sharon had misgivings on Sunday about tackling this course but both she and Carolyn showed their strength up the hills. Catriona says she's short on miles and having a sabbatical, but I suspect secret training on the South coast. Nina, Julie, and Gail all ran well.
Andy Watts, so good over the hills, overcame sexagenarian rival, Tony, to take the League 3 60 points. Simon was third then Richard and Aron.
Patrick beat Steve, Andrew and the 'new' John Porteus to notch-up a third League 4 win. Janine and Louisa were followed by Owen, who pulled out of his recent slump, to finish ahead of Nicky and Diane. Peter, who after all his years with the club finally achieved a T-shirt and mug, was one second ahead of Sarah, whose finishing speed took James unaware. Never saw Angela, a strange night, I felt I ran ok, I was close to Jamie for part of the way which added to my sense of well-being, but, when I arrived at the finish, rivals, who I thought were behind me, were all already there. I had worked hard and had the legs in the morning to prove it, but the form scores confirmed a 2011 worst.
Back in the hills, Curtis found the verve he had lost at Moonraker. Sharon got her best score of the Series and Carolyn equalled hers. Simon again demonstrated that he can run up the hills, it is a shame he comes down like Bambi on ice. Catriona led a Roy who, despite teasing his fans that his injuries would keep in on the sidelines, did himself proud in alien territory. The mass of Wilmslow runners around the finish swelled as more came home. Nina, Don and Julie got a noisy welcome and, by now, everyone was really enjoying themselves, Trevor and Gail were cheered the whole way across the dam.
Lots of support; Ray, Paul, Mike, Nick, Martin and Angela – it really does help and creates a great atmosphere.
The names of Simon Fenton, James Gowin, Peter Bream, Aron Myers and Trevor Morris go onto the 2011 T-shirt and mug. Another 14 could make it at Pie & Peas.
Gail, Carolyn and Chris maintained their record of running every race. Janine and Angela have only missed one.
Only Malcolm can now prevent Damian taking the 2011 title. With a good turn-out from Groups 1 & 2, it was difficult for those further down who had already completed seven races, to improve their totals, so much of the movement was down to accommodate the newly qualified. Trevor Morris gets onto the podium in bronze medal position pushing down Andrew Whittingham, Tony, Graham Screawn, the Pauls, Gareth and Patrick. Aron comes-in at 11th. ahead of Geoff. Andrépasses Janine, they lead Kate and John. Owen moves above Angela and closes on Ian and Chris. Peter Bream comes-in at 20th. James Gowin, at 24th., comes in behind Alan and Carolyn but ahead of Don. Simon, in at 28th., hasn't yet done quite enough to get above Gail and, more importantly, Roy. Nina moves ahead of Trevor, and Julie above Peter Watson. Sarah Miles is 33rd.
Janine's 60 points takes her above Kate as sole leader of the Ladies. Angela is third followed by Carolyn Nina, Julie, Gail and Sarah. Christine and Nicky, on six races, threaten the top order and Louise has five wins out of five.
Tony's lead in League 3 edges up from two to three points from Paul Garnett. Paul Norris is third, Aron in at fourth followed by Gareth. Andy Watts' next race could put him on the podium.
Geoff maintains his lead in League 4, although Patrick and Andy Dodd both moved closer. Janine, Kate and John hold their positions. Peter is in at 7th. Owen moves ahead of Angela and Ian, then Don and James.
Chris has a perfect 420 points, Alan has six wins and a second – this looks certain to go to a tie-breaker. Simon comes up to join Carolyn at 3rd. pushing down Peter, Roy, Nina, Gail, Trevor, Julie and Sarah.
Ian
Forest 5 / Inter Club Challenge (15 to count)
1 Macclesfield Harriers (261 points)
2 Wilmslow RC (321 points )
3 Congleton Harriers
It may not be common knowledge that the race is also a three-way inter-club challenge, and the trophy (yes, there is one) was regained by Macclesfield Harriers – as above.
However, Damian was first home. Malcolm (4th) was also first MV40, Tom first MV50, and Nicky was first LV50.
A total of 91 race entries equalled last year’s record. This time, however, the record was bettered by all 91 finishing! Nick acknowledged for his help at the finish.
Only 4 runners showed up from Congleton, so there is a suggestion that the invitation to participate in this competition should be extended next year to Goyt Valley Striders.
The race raised a total of £508.21 for East Cheshire Hospice.
Don (with reference to Race Report)