Summer Series – Race 18

Macclesfield Half Marathon

The Ladies had regained the Cheshire Grand Prix from Macclesfield at Great Warford. The Men were looking here to retain their title for the fifth(?) successive year. The performance was impressive; Damian 2^nd., Mike 3^rd., Rob Downs 6^th, Malcolm 7^th., Jim 8^th., Tom 19^th., Ray 39^th, Rob Gilbert 42^nd., Mark 57^th. and Steve Dempsey 62^nd. I’m out of touch in the wilds of south-west Wales entertaining Americans en route for the Ryder Cup, our web-site isn’t yet telling me whether or not we did enough to become 2010 Cheshire Champions.

Race 18 significantly changed the main table. Damian is untouchable but Malcolm and Jim, both completing their seven, jumped-in at 2^nd equal.  The rest of the top 12 is unchanged; Graham, Tom, Tony, Rob Gilbert, Andy, Steve Smith, Mick, James Eyre and Louise.

Geoff, completing his seven, jumps in at 23^rd. Gavin makes it 53 names on the T-shirt and mug, he’s at 27^th.

I paid a high price for missing only my second race of the Series with not only Patrick moving ahead, but, worse, Owen overtaking the two of us into 30^th. place. James Gowin overtook Rod for 39^th. Monique, who we’ve not seen for some races, regained ascendancy over Sharon for 44^th. place.

With eight runners on six races and many of the qualified runners separated by only one or two points, there are lots more changes to come at Lytham and Langley.

Rob Downs was 1^st. M45, Tom 1^st. M55, Simon 1^st. M65, Malcolm 2^nd. M45, Jim 2^nd.  M40, Ray 2^nd. M55, Gavin 2^nd M60 and Peter 2^nd. M65.

Nicky was the leading Wilmslow lady for the first time this Series and also 1^st.F50, something she’s achieved with greater frequency. Janine was second for Wilmslow and also  2^nd.F40. Next was Christine followed by Angela, Sue, Soraya, Monique, Sharon, Catriona, Nina and Gail.

The top six in the Ladies table are unchanged; Louise, Katy, Clare, Christine, Sarah and Kate. Janine moves above Angela for 7^th. and Nina above Penny for 10^th. Nicky, Steffi and Cat need one more race to disturb the order.

Another 60 points for Steve Smith means he’s almost sealed the League 3/4 title, only Tony can now catch him. 59 and 58 went to the two Paul’s then came Geoff, Nicky Gavin, Janine and Jamie.

Andy is 3^rd. in the 3/4 table followed by James Eyre, Louise, Richard, Matt, Gareth, Katy, Don, Pete and Paul Norris. Geoff’s in at 13^th. and Gavin at 17^th. Patrick moves above Ian to 21^st. Jamie and Nicky need one more for their seven.

Owen made it three 60 points out of three with his best-ever race. Andy took 59 and Sue, for the second successive race, 58. Soraya separated M65 rivals Simon and Peter then came Monique, Sharon, Catriona, Nina, Roy, Gail and Trevor.

Owen leads John in League 5/6 by two points with Andrew one point behind John. Penny, at least mathematically, is still in there. Summer Series arithmetic still favours John, current form says Owen but Andy is running well enough to steal the title. Chris is 5^th.  then Huma, Simon moves above Rod to 8^th.,then Roy, Soraya moves above Nina to 11^th. Steffi, Peter and Cat lie in wait – one race to qualify.

Roy is now sole leader of ‘most races’, 17 out of 18, Paul Stonier ran his first.

Ian