wrc

Buxton Half Marathon

27 May 2007

1	Pumlani Bangani	M	Salford	01:14:37
2	Michael Halman	M	Wilmslow	01:15:16
3	Malcolm Fowler	MV40	Wilmslow	01:19:13

Langdale 10K

22 April 2007

1 Damian Nicholls 32:55

Wendy

I rarely make the Sunday runs nowadays but as I jogged down the hill to the club I was surprised to see a face, and figure, I did not recognise. Surprised that no-one had mentioned her because in television jargon she was ‘easy on the eye’. She was also distracting the other runners with only Gwynne seemingly going through her normal warm-up routine. It transpired that Wendy was also new to the rest of the group, having learned about our run via Google and the club web-site. However, she was only looking for six, rather than the planned ten, miles and needed to finish in Alderley Edge. It may be that the distance was not her true reservation, the Sunday run rarely attracts the cream or younger members of the club but, with the Waterloo Summer Series race the following day, the assembled company was today even more decrepit than usual and there were no girls. But Wendy was trapped; any proposed change of route to accommodate her was met with unanimous enthusiasm.

And so we set off for Alderley Edge, high spirits replacing the usual groans and expellation of excess wind. We all tried our best; she had old favourites like the 1991 Llandudno 10 and the Tour of Tameside (Roy was away so she missed-out on his 3:14 in the marathon at the London Olympics) and more ambitiously the trends in avante garde German cinema and the role of sea bass in corporate hospitality.

Normally after a few miles Dunks has reverted to his Franz Klammer shuffle, but today he was striding up the Edge. Rob has had a number of difficult years; the best physicians in the land have examined him, the top laboratories have tested his blood, the club psychologists have tried cajoling, empathising and bullying, but all to no avail. Suddenly at a stroke we had a cure.

But then Alderley and she was gone, perhaps after all a mirage.

I can, already, see the conversation at 9:02 on future Sundays, “perhaps if we wait just one more minute…”.

And for many years to come, on cold Winter Sunday mornings as a group of men of a certain age trudge through the rain and mud, above them will appear a little glow of warmth as they reminisce about the day that Wendy came to run with them.

Ian Ashcroft

Dunham Park 5k

Friday May 25

7 Malcolm Fowler 16:33 1st. M40
52 Raymond Eagle 18:22 M50
144 Ian Ashcroft 21:37 M60
145 Owen Ashcroft 21:39 M
159 Roy Pownall 22:19 M55
163 Catriona Marshall 22:28 F40
165 Penny Hinke 22:34 3rd. F50
181 Simon Fenton 23:14 M60

Ian

White Peak Marathon

A marathon is a long race, this is a long report: you might need to have some gels handy to get through it…

I’d last run a marathon in the heat of Rotterdam 1987 and had not really considered it again since.  The more recent London exploits of Jim, Andy, Mike & co. sounded exciting but I wasn’t convinced I could do it.  The thought of grinding out 20 mile training runs on the road and nursing the injuries that might accompany them just didn’t appeal.  But then again the Lyme Park crew had shown me that there was nothing unnatural about running for over 2 hours across the hills on a Sunday morning.  Enter the White Peak : a marathon run completely on trails.  It was time to give it a go.

As we milled around the start the atmosphere was noticeably more Gun Run than FLM.  No TV celebs or starting pens here.  The officials concentrated on checking that the gates were open, pointing us in the right direction and clearing the sheep off the path. 

Looking at the times from 2006 I reckoned that I should be able to run with the leading group for at least 18 miles or until the wheels came off.  I felt confident that I could handle the steep descents in the last few miles if only I could reach that far.  So with a strong winds forecast my plan was to tuck in with a group running a steady pace and not stick my neck out till near the end.

The starting hooter sounded and I stepped into the lead behind the bike.  Gathering speed it was suspiciously quiet behind me but I didn’t feel to be moving so fast.  As I passed the first mile marker (about 6 mins) I looked around but there were no runners in sight.  At 2 miles I had a good look behind but again saw no one at all.  My watch showed that I wasn’t running a crazy pace but it looked like I was going to be on my own until they caught up and I’d blown my plan in the first 10 minutes.  But hey, the sun was shining, the path was smooth, moorland views were opening up nicely ahead and a nice chap on a bike was showing me the way. 

The first half of the route follows the Tissington Trail as it snakes up through the Derbyshire Dales to Parsley Hey.  Being a quality old railway line it doesn’t mess with the contours, carving its own gradual but relentlessly rising path through the hills.  As we climbed shady cuttings opened out into long exposed embankments.  The limestone trail was at times blindingly white in the sunshine and a strong cross wind had me clinging onto my vest and race number.

As we approached Parsley Hey the wind was more or less in my face but I was still running steadily towards a first half split of around 1:22.  At this point the race route doubles back on itself before turning off onto the High Peak Trail and I was looking forward to seeing some other runners at last.  Just past Parsley Hey the lead cyclist turned around and asked me rather hopefully if I knew where we should turn around.   Fortunately I just spied a bright green jacket a few hundred metres ahead and I suggested that he rode ahead to have a look.  Sure enough this was the turning point and making up for lost time I was probably looking relatively fresh as I faced my pursuers on the way back.  It was difficult to estimate but I seemed to have a lead of at least a minute.

I passed half way at Friden where the Half Marathon had started and ran steadfastly on, slowing only to lunch on muesli bar washed down with cups of local water.  The map shows this section undulating along the level but with a never-ending path stretched out in front and miles accumulating in my legs it felt like we were still climbing steadily.  I concentrated on moving smoothly and taking in the changing views as the miles ticked by. 

By 18 miles I could sense that I was slowing down but I figured that if I could keep to a 6:30 pace nobody could catch me without running a big negative split.  I focussed on the trail ahead counting down the miles until the promised descents.  At one point I ran through a tunnel and the change in light produced a strange feeling as if I was losing my balance.  For a moment I was also in danger of losing half a muesli bar that I’d just swallowed.  Escaping from the tunnel the first incline appeared: a fast run down loose gravel that was all too quickly over. 

Confident now of handling the descents I passed 22 miles and began to think that if I could hold it together I was going to win – and why not after running so far on my own?  Entering woodland I started down the rougher second incline carefully picking out a line to avoid too much braking that might cramp my quads.  A slight rise before 24 miles reduced me to a plod as the lead cyclist pointed out our destination near Cromford - but this still looked far, far away below us.  The final descent appeared and I thankfully eased into it, picking up speed past 25 miles and out onto the canal towpath.

Surely not far now but why was I running so slowly?  My legs felt OK but my mind was wandering.  There were some shouts from some spectators ahead.  I tried to look behind but nearly stumbled into the canal.  I finally realised that I wasn’t slowing down at all; it was just the lead bike speeding up as we approached the track down to the finish.  I was too tired for cartwheels but photos reveal an immodest amount of waving that may have lost a few seconds.  But I had won by over 4 minutes and taken 30 minutes off my 20 year old PB, a feat that I’m unlikely to repeat in a hurry.

I didn’t have long to wait for Ian running in comfortably for an excellent 3:05 especially considering his taper had included by sprinting most of group 2 at the Shady Oak only a couple of days before.  Gavin who’d decided to run more or less on the spur of the moment completed the Wilmslow dream team and we duly picked up the team prize.  Ian was particularly pleased with the successful raid on his old hometown.  We felt altogether less smug as we commenced the challenge of getting up out of the comfy chairs and walking across the carpark.  Fortunately Emma Smallwood, who had earlier provided stalwart support at various points, was on hand to transport our stiff legs back to Wilmslow.

1 Rob Downs 2:48:30

9 Ian Smallwood 3:05:13

34 Gavin Mendham 3:26:21

Full results at: http://www.matlockac.org.uk/results/2007/wpm07.pdf

Local press report: http://www.matlocktoday.co.uk/sport?articleid=2898429

Seeing as you’ve read this far here are my splits:

1              06:00        00:06:00

2              06:11        00:12:11

3              06:08        00:18:19

4              06:29        00:24:48

5              06:23        00:31:11

6              06:20        00:37:31

7              06:15        00:43:46

8              06:14        00:50:00

9              06:39        00:56:39

10             06:25        01:03:04

11             06:29        01:09:33

12             06:02        01:15:35

13             06:08        01:21:43

14             06:08        01:27:51

15             06:22        01:34:13

16             06:21        01:40:34

17             06:35        01:47:09

18             06:36        01:53:45

19             06:38        02:00:23

20             06:40        02:07:03

21             06:47        02:13:50

22             06:29        02:20:19

23             06:42        02:27:01

24             06:46        02:33:47

25             06:30        02:40:17

26             06:47        02:47:04

26.2          01:26        02:48:30

Invitation to Sally and Mike's party

We would like to invite the members of the running club to a summer engagement/leaving party on the 11th august, The details will follow in due time but it will be held in Wilmslow and will start about 6pm. So keep the date in mind otherwise you may miss a summer spectacular.

Sally and Mike.

Double individual wins for Wilmslow pair

Two days , two wins and the team prize captured for Wilmslow by Downs , Smallwood and Mendham .

While some chose the TV , a beer and the FA Cup Final ( bad choice) , Rob , Ian and Gavin chose the White Peak Marathon as described by Ian in the article below . Three excellent performances captured the team prize for Wilmslow and the overall winner of the race in Rob Downs : Congratulations to you all.

For pictures please refer to : http://www.mickhall-photos.com/sports.html (both races ) : Select appropriate event .

Gavin : DSC 0211> page 18

Ian : DSC 0194> page 16

Rob : DSC 0179 > page 15

The speed they ran they perhaps had that well earned chilled beer at home !

Meanwhile on Sunday Mike Halman won the Chester half in in doing so set a PB by running sub 70 minutes ( 69.58) : well done Mike : hurdle broken : onward and upward !

To see Mike in action , check out : same site but the Chester event :

Mike : DSC 0269 > Page 41

There will be doubtless other great performances to hear about on Tuesday : Catriona in the Manchester 10k being one more :

What a bunch of talented performers you are !

Nick.

Won Down(s) Three Across (the line)

Rob Downs recorded a stunning victory in the White Peak Marathon and also smashed his PB for the distance. Having quickly established an early lead, he proceeded to run a solo race for the remaining 25 miles. As the miles rolled by challengers failed to materialise, and Rob strolled into the finish in 2 hours 48 minutes, over 30 minutes faster than his PB!

Ian Smallwood and Gavin Mendham completed the event in a more sedate fashion recording 3 hours 5 mins, and 3 hours 26 mins respectively. The three Wilmslow runners took first place in the team event.
Ian S.

XC dates for 2007/2008

Conscious that as we enter long balmy days and dry light evenings , that many of you will be yearning for the mud of winter and with it the new XC season : The great news is that we set some pretty high standards last year but knowing our determination and collective abilities to rise to the challenge , we will all I know be striving for even more success . So here are some dates for diaries :

1. Sat 27th  Oct Heaton park

2. Sat 17th Nov Boggart hole clough

3. Sun 2 Dec Macclesfield

4. Sun 13th Jan Woodbank

5. Sat 9th Feb Wythenshawe

Confirmation of the venues is required. The weekends are likely to be fixed Broadoak is no longer available as a venue for cross country The national is rumoured to be at Alton Towers.

Lets show the rest a clean (!?) set of heals again !

Kate has worked wonders with the ladies and I know that with her growing band of mud'ites that the ladies races will be a mass of blue and yellow .

Nick.

Christleton 5K

In complete contrats to my last race this one was rural, short, fast and took place in torrential rain. It felt a bit strange without the usual mob of Wilmslow runners since the race was not one of the summer series.

Even so the race was as fast as usual despite the rain and there was a clean sweep of PB's from Dave Quinn and me.

Andy P

1		Jonny	MELLOR	SM	Liverpool Harriers	00:14:30
2		Simon	MILLS	SM	Sale Harriers	00:14:47
3		Andi	JONES	SM	Salford Harriers	00:14:49

28		Andrew	PENNEY	SM	Wilmslow AC	00:16:53
89		David	QUINN	M45	Wilmslow AC	00:19:00

241 finishers

Team Photos

Photos from Tony:-

Summer sunshine after Whitley 10k

Our winning team at Waterloo 15k

Waterloo

Results of a breezey 15km in Crosby (Pos, Cat Pos, Name, Time)

2 2nd u/40M Mike Halman 50:25:00

4 1st M40 Malcolm Fowler 52:59:00

8 1st M50 Tom McGaff 55:22:00

21 8th M40 Steve Dempsey 59:19:00

24 1st M55 Tony Hulme 59:33:00

32 10th M40 Ian Smallwood 01:01:07

40 1st L35 Jane Clarke 01:01:53

41 18th u40M Mark Bale 01:01:55

55 7th M45 Steve Smith 01:02:57

70 2nd M55 Geoff Gilbert 01:04:19

90 7th M50 Paul Ayres 01:05:39

113 1st L45 Kate Sutton 01:07:10

147 16th M50 Don Bullough 01:09:54

196 7th M55 Rod Coombs 01:12:54

207 7th u35L Louisa Gilbert 01:14:24

221 10th L45 Penny Hinke 01:14:46

258 7th L40 Catriona Marshall 01:17:29

304 10th M60 Trevor Faulkner 01:20:14

Sunday run 6th May

A huge thank you to the entertaining and supportive running group on Sunday 6th May. Next time I'm in Wilmslow I'll be sure to come again- and I expect to see Rob at the front!

Wendy

Whitley 10K results

Sunny day and undulating 2nd half - but some great results.

• 2nd Mike Halman    32:55
• 3rd Malcolm Fowler 34:14  1st MV40
• 5th Stuart Parrott   34:28  2nd MV40
• 6th Bill Heaton        36:09  3rd MV40
• 9th Tony Hulme      37:30  1st MV50
• Rob Johnston          38:07
• Mick Fairs              38:33 3rd MV50
• Mark Bale               38:37
• Peter Carne            39:09
• Jane Clarke            39:38  1st LV35 3rd lady
• Dave Quinn             40:14
• Andy Watts             40:30
• Mike Cooper            40:35
• Paul Nicholls            41:14
• Geoff Gilbert          41:49
• Kate Sutton            42:31 1st LV45
• Don Bullough           43:02
• Gareth Trimble       45:05
• Ian Ashcroft            45:22
• Peter Watson          45:38
• John Porteous         45:48
• Rod Coombes         46:52
• Sally Price              46:58
• Louisa Gilbert        48:19
• Penny Hinke          48:44
• Roy Pownall           50:08
• Trevor Faulkner     53:43

Male teams - Wilmslow 1st,3rd,6th,10th and 16th teams! Women - 2nd team.

Kate Sutton

Hellrunner North 2007

Delamere Forest 29 April 2007

12 miles of extreme cross country and bog running.  Report to follow ...

5 Rob Downs 1MV40 1:18:06

Full results at http://www.hellrunner.co.uk/gr_north07.cfm