Chester Spring 5
Wednesday April 7th.
The Spring 5 regained its Grand Prix status and its traditional place as the Summer Series opener. An impressive turn-out by the Ladies but fewer of the top men might have weakened the Wilmslow Grand Prix score but brought few tears from those with their eyes on early points in the Series.
I don't think anyone doubted that Damien would be as dominant this year as the last two but, if they did, he responded with an emphatically, 4th. overall.
Second Wilmslow runner was Graham, who was also 3rd.M45 followed by Steve and then Mick, who took his customary place as 1st.M60.
Mick was promoted as last year's winner of League 3/4. James took the 50 points ahead of last year's runner-up Tony, who was also 2nd.M60. Richard, whose running has moved-up a level came third followed by Katy, Pete, Don, Christine, Sally, Nicky, Sarah, Clare and Kate
The Ladies championship is as intriguing this year as last. The expectation in 2009 was that Vicky would retain her title but she opted for pregnancy which put Sue in pole position. However, Kate came out of the blocks from race one and, each time someone started to threaten to overhaul her, she notched-up another win. Kate, after six months of sciatica, is off the pace so she won't be the hare this year, but she might be the tortoise.
Katy, who picked-up the 50-points on a number of occasions last year, led the Wilmslow Ladies home. Christine was second, Sally third, Nicky fourth, Sarah fifth and then Kate. Christine was a magnificent 1st.L45, Nicky, as ever, was 1st.L50 and Sally was 2nd.L45.
Matt, relegated from League 3/4, set out his stall to do a Newcastle United and dominate the lower league. The challenge came from John, always a 5/6 contender he finished strongly in 2009 and carried that form to the Wilmslow Half. He is better on the longer distances and this was an excellent start to 2010. They were followed by what will probably be a year-long contest at the bottom of 3/4. Angie paced her race well, coming from a long way back in the second half and pulling back half-a-minute in the final mile to catch Ian less than a metre from the line, revenge for Waterloo 2009. Both had done taken Chris in the latter stages.
Owen, relegated with Matt, was the third 5/6 runner. Huma, who has hardly run over the last twelve months fought her way to fourth followed by Sharon, who is looking to put her name on the T-shirt for the first time. The old campaigners, Rod and Roy, battled, from start to finish, against each other, and the fear of going over 40 minutes, – battle resumes on Sunday.
Julie had one her better runs of recent years, Monique held-off Sarah who beat mentor Trevor, Gail enjoyed the shorter distance despite being in danger of losing her shorts, Martin carried the laterne rouge.
Christine and Monique had a vest crisis leaving them running for pride rather than points, which is a shame because they are both running well. The 'no club vest' penalty was softened last year; low, rather than no, points, so that the race still counts as part of the 7 for the mug and T-shirt.
Sandstone on Sunday; a little bit longer and more in it for the hill climbers. The posh ladies are ever so well meaning but….
Ian