Summer Series – Race 19

Green Drive 5

Sunday October 17th.

On the Rob Downs scale of running time compared with driving time, then Green Drive represented the worst value of this year's Series.  However, the reciprocal of the Downs formula is that maximum travelling normally yields maximum points. Having seen Patrick and Owen ease above me in the table following Macc, this probably was the last opportunity to regain lost ground. Additionally I was hoping for a ring-side seat as John and Owen sought to deliver the knock-out blow in the League 5 title challenge. So the 2010 high-rollers; Roy for his 18th. race and Ian for his 17th., set course for Lytham.

I played rugby for school a number of times at Lytham. My abiding memory was a gale blowing down the pitch, you had to reverse tactics 180^o at half-time; kicking for position all one half and playing sevens the other.  We were witness to further evidence of the impact of climate change for, as at Natterjack last year, we were rewarded with a still day. The temperature, however, was less kind;  having had to scrape the ice off the windscreen in Wilmslow, it struggled up to only 7^o for the start, although we enjoyed warm sunshine for the post-race chatter.

The course is not the most picturesque and the sea, although little more than stone's throw away, never comes into view. It is a run through suburbs and country roads. However it is flat and fast with an excellent surface and, for most runners, the time on their watch at the finish is more than compensation for the journey  and lack of scenery.  Gail and Sharon got well-publicised PBs as did Owen but I'm sure there were others, please no false modesty, add yours in comments at the bottom.

Given the Downs coefficient, 30 Wilmslow vests was rather more than most of us would like to have seen. The emphasis, as it often is, was on Groups 5 and 6 and so, for the majority, there were good points to be had.

Jim carried the Wilmslow flag into 6th. place. Ray was next and pleasingly the old Nick is slowly emerging, 3rd. Wilmslow runner is his best for a number of years. Then came Steve Dempsey followed by Mick, who, unusually, was beaten into 2nd.M60.

Jim's points will probably ensure that he gets silver for the 2010 competition and that Malcolm has to settle for bronze. Steve, who's now made the T-shirt this year, comes into the main table at 7th. Mick moves above both Steve Smith and Andy to 9th. Louise moves above James Eyre for 12th. Ray comes in at 16th. but has the potential, given sweeping at Goyt Valley, to make another leap into the top 10. Nick moves above Don and Pete. Jamie comes in at 28th. and Nicky at 30th. Patrick and Owen overtake Gavin and Steve Russell. Huma and Nina put more stress on Rod's broken heart. Steffi comes in at 47th. Sharon takes back the place she lost to Monique. Cat comes in at 52nd and Peter at 54th. Trevor overtakes Martin and Gail passes Sarah Miles.

 All except Mark, of those on six races, took the insurance of coming to Lytham; Langley in November is not the place to have to run if you are either half-fit or unwell. So the names of Steve Dempsey, Ray Eagle, Jamie Smith, Nicky Mowat, Steffi  Sperring, Peter Watson and Catriona Marshall  have made it onto the 2010 T-shirt and mug.

Louise made it 10 Ladies' firsts in 10 races, but we may have to persuade her that Langley is saved until the end because it is the fitting highlight of the season. She was also 1st.F35. Nicky never used to perform well at the shorter distances but that seems to be changing with maturity. Kate, still a shadow of her former self, was third with Sarah fourth.  I was with Sarah at the 3-mile mark and her chest sounded awful. Then came Steffi, Nina, Huma, who arrived as the gun went off and had to run with the car keys until she found Mike Marshall , Sharon, Catriona, Julie and PB Gail.

Nicky comes onto the leader-board jointly 5th. with Sarah Waite and Steffi jumps to 10th. Cat comes-in at 15th.

Ian Smallwood was first 3/4, a remarkable performance over 5 miles for someone I associate with hills and big mileage, maybe it's the sea air. Louise was second, Tony third and then the Pauls, but Garnett getting the better of Norris on this occasion. Jamie was 6th.

Steve Smith could rest on his laurels, the League 3/4 title is already his. Tony did just enough to make his second place secure. Louise's 59 took her above James Eyre into 4th. but the arithmetic favours James taking-back the place at Langley. Paul Norris moves above Don and Pete. Jamie comes in at 14th. and Nicky at 21st.

Owen made it four 5/6 wins in a row but cedes the leadership of the table that he has held since Bowdon. John took the 59 points and they now share the lead with identical records; 5 first places and 2 seconds – it's all down to Langley. Andy and Penny are now out of contention. Steffi was third taking her to 6th. in the table, followed by  Nina, who is still showing why she's runner of the month.  Peter and Alan who were given the same time ,then  Huma, Chris, Sharon, Roy, Catriona, Julie and Gail, did I mention earlier Gail got a PB?

Helpful support from Martin and Mike.

and so to the grand finale at Langley.

Ian