Sunday July 24.
This is the sort of race we expect Damian to romp away with, he is the course record holder, but Tarus Elly of Salford is a formidable competitor of considerable class. Malcolm 5th., Andrew 9th. and Mike 16th. gave Wilmslow the team prize despite the presence of Royston, in perhaps even greater numbers than ourselves.
There tends to be a negativity in the club about Moonraker, and I have to admit that the scenery does not match the Fairy Freckled Cow. I prefer to judge races by their variety; a mix of terrains gives everyone a chance and often makes it a better race between runners of a similar standard because different sections favour different runners. Moonraker scores well on this criteria; off-road, on-road, a longish hill, a descent to match and plenty of flat. The race was well organised, the prize-giving more Morecambe & Wise.
Louise was second lady. The organisers apparently had her down as male and the negotiation to convince them otherwise took a lot longer than might have been anticipated, it would be interesting to know the content of the conversation . Janine was 1st.L40, Kate 1st.L45 and Nicky 1st.L50. Again we triumphed over Royston to take the Ladies' prize. The ladies found carrying all the wine more of struggle than the run. In the Tour de France, although the stars collect the prizes, the money is handed-over to the also-rans, les domestiques, a convention which I think has considerable merit. Louisa looks a good acquisition. She was followed by Sarah who lacks running, started well, then lost it on the hill, she got going again to achieve a respectable finish, a crucial step on the road to rehabilitation. Angela was 2nd. L50. Carolyn seems to do better on the tougher courses but held her position in the pecking-order. Nina outpaced Julie. Gail came-in behind them but this was better, the confidence and the smile returning.
Paul Garnett took his first 60 points in League 3. Tony was second, Louise third, Paul Norris fourth. Next was Jon Bale, who has been promoted from League 4, and then Simon Bolton.
In League 4, Geoff took his fifth 60 points of the campaign. Patrick was second,. Then Janine, Kate, Nicky and Louisa. I can no longer compete with John and Andy, I tried from 4k to close a small gap on James but took not an inch. However, beating Owen, even if not at his best, had its satisfaction.
Away from the hills, Alan took revenge on Chris' recent ascendancy in League 5. On this terrain Peter was under less threat from Carolyn. Then came Nina, Julie and Gail. Finally, Trevor, saddened by his decline since he last ran the race, and the brave Martin.
Only 34 of us, so the points ought to be good unless you are in League 4, which had 13 runners.
The names of Patrick Grannan, Ian Ashcroft, Peter Watson and Julie Lucas go onto the 2012 T-shirt and mug.
Damian is striding from leadership to mathematical certainty. Behind him Malcolm and Andrew Whittingham strengthened their hold on the podium, whilst Tony edged above Graham Screawn. The Pauls and Gareth are unchanged, Patrick hits the leaderboard at 9, easing down Geoff. Janine goes above Andy Dodd. Then Kate. John goes above Chris. Ian comes-in at 16th. ahead of Angela and Owen. Alan goes above Carolyn. Then Don, Roy, Gail, Trevor and Nina. Pete comes-in at 26, Julie at 27 and Sarah Miles completes the 28 who have qualified.
Gail, Carolyn and Chris have run all 13 races.
13 more runners could get onto the T-shirt and mug at Forest 5 on Wednesday.
In one of those nice pieces of Summer Series arithmetic, Kate draws level with Janine at the top of the Ladies' Table despite Janine beating her in the race. Whilst in theory they both strengthened their position at the top, Louise now has five wins in five races. Angela and Carolyn hold third and fourth. Nina overtakes Gail. Julie comes-in at 7th. and Sarah Miles is 8th.
No change in the top of League 3 but Paul Garnett moved closer to leader, Tony, then come Paul Norris and Gareth.
Geoff strengthens his leadership of League 4. Patrick comes-in in second place. Andrew, Janine, Kate and John hold station. Ian comes-in level with Angela at 7th. (the Forest 5 contest, ideal for one who can't run up hills and the other who can't run down, will gain an added ingredient), Owen is one good race from joining them. Don completes the qualifiers.
Chris's lead over Alan in League 5 is cut to one point. Peter comes into 3rd. pushing down Carolyn, Roy, Nina, Gail and Trevor . Julie comes in at 9th. above Sarah.
Ian