wrc

Summer Series - Race 10

Langley Fete Fell Race

Going to Langley proved very much the right decision. I was in the car just after the kick-off and home for the second German goal. England were bad, the referee worse . The sport's Luddite attitude to technology, despite the line taken by the media, did change the momentum of the match.  Hopefully the TV, now they don't need to sell England to a wider audience, can help us to enjoy some good football.

I'm not hill climber, Langley had concerned me in prospect  but, my conclusion was that, it is a course that very much favours those who are good at running downhill over those who are good at running uphill. I'd be interested in the views of those of you who are fell runners. The short, sharp ascent meant that , at my level,  even the better climbers were forced to walk, so I could conserve my energy and wait for the flat and descent. I was able to catch Janine and John on the top and Penny on the cobbles. I believe it would have been a very different race run in the opposite direction when the good climbers,  like Penny, would have been able to exploit a long, gentler ascent. 

It was hot at 25^o, but I did not notice this once we were out of the valley. I was early and when I registered they only had two other runners, Roy and Martin. As I said I don't 'do' hills but, if we're going to have a hill race, then that is the sort of field that I like. We then had a whole bevy of Wilmslow ladies sporting their crop tops. There clearly had been a joint  'itsy, bitsy, teeny, weeny...'  confidence building session. This was definitely better than the football although I'm sure Soraya had ordered an extra large number; it seemed to cover most of the area from her throat to her (long) shorts. Things then started to turn a bit sour as Malcolm, Tom, Rob, Andy, Don, Richard and Steve appeared.

 Not many outsiders at the start, just Wilmslow and a few guests, it seemed.

My exit was faster than my ascent so don't know who did well and who was disappointed but a smaller field makes commenting on the impact on the Series less wieldly.

 Malcolm (1st.M40) finished second as he had done last year. He became only the third Series main-table winner, Graham having taken the 60 points at Sandstone but Damian the other eight. Tom (1st.M50) was 3rd. , Steve 5th.,Tony (1st.M60) 6th., Rob 7th. Andy 8th. and Don 9th. Nick gave his calf a non-too-gentle work-out.

Penny Hinke and, for the first time, Chris Cannon, go onto the T-shirt and mug.

Damian's leadership of the main table was unaffected and only the mathematicians would question whether he is going to be 2010 champion. Tony, Richard, Don, Clare and Kate strengthened their hold on the next five places. Sarah and Christine were in Bloemfontein so Ian closed the gap a little. Owen is now followed by Penny and Chris who have jumped onto the leader-board . Roy has moved above Rod and Julie and then it's Monique and Martin.

For some reason whilst male numbers were well down, we had a big turn-out from the ladies. Louise was second lady overall. Clare was second Wilmslow lady, Kate third, Penny (1st.L50), Huma (a much better run than Warrington),  Janine (far less happy than she had been on the road),  Soraya (perhaps better off-road?), Nina,  Sarah and Elspeth.

Clare increases her lead at the top. Kate moves ahead of Sarah,  Christine retains fourth. Penny is now on the leader-board pushing Julie and Monique down a place. Louise has five races, five wins.

Tony enjoyed his second Group 3/4 victory of the week , Andy  was second, Don third then Gareth, Louise, Chris, Richard, Clare, Kate, Ian and Janine.

His fourth win of the Series confirmed Tony's position at the top of 3/4. Richard and Don strengthened their positions in second and third. Clare moves up to 4th. and Kate joins Christine in 5th. Sarah has lost a little ground, Ian completes those who have run seven.

John had chalked-up his fourth 5/6 Series win on Thursday, Penny made it four at Langley pushing John to his first defeat of the season.  Huma was third, then Chris (also a much stronger performance than Thursday), Roy, Soraya, Nina, Trevor and Sarah (both back on the terrain they prefer), Elspeth and Martin.

Owen retained his leadership, but only just and perhaps not for long, he's one point ahead of Penny.  Chris jumps in at third, only three points behind Penny. Rod drops to fourth with Roy closing on him, then come Julie, Monique and Martin. John  has four firsts and a second.

Bollington next, Sunday July 11th. Group One train there and even Rob Downs says the first two hills are tougher than they look. This is a race that definitely does favour  the hill-climber; last year I lost too much ground on the early hills (there's also a sting in the tail) and was beaten by Amanda, Penny, John and Angela.

Ian

2010 Summer Series > Race 10 - Langley Fete Fell Race

Sunday 27th June

Pos	Name	Club	Category	Time
1	Simon Bailey	Mercia FR	M	18.13
2	Malcolm Fowler	Wilmslow RC	MV40	19.51
3	Tom McGaff	Wilmslow RC	MV50	21.06
4	James Noakes	Macclesfield Harriers	MV40	21.20
5	John Mooney	Macclesfield Harriers	MV50	22.24
6	Steve Dempsey	Wilmslow RC	MV40	22.53
7	Tony Hulme	Wilmslow RC	MV60	23.02
8	Rob Gilbert	Wilmslow RC	MV40	23.20
9	Andy Watts	Wilmslow RC	MV60	23.38
10	Don Bullough	Wilmslow RC	MV50	24.25
11	Tony Little	Unattached	M	24.33
12	Gareth Trimble	Wilmslow RC	M	24.52
13	Tessa Montague	Macclesfield Harriers	LV40	25.08
14	Louise Rudd	Wilmslow RC	F	25.13
15	Chris Watts	Wilmslow RC	M	25.47
16	Richard Hirons	Wilmslow RC	MV50	26.04
17	Wain Marsh	Mow Cop	M	26.12
18	Clare Hawkes	Wilmslow RC	LV40	26.41
19	Nick Bishop	Wilmslow RC	MV50	26.46
20	Kate Sutton	Wilmslow RC	LV40	26.51
21	Ian Ashcroft	Wilmslow RC	MV60	27.02
22	Chris Edwards	Dark Peak FR	M	27.13
23	Penny Hinke	Wilmslow RC	LV50	27.34
24	Katy Smith	Unattached	LV40	27.54
25	John Porteous	Wilmslow RC	MV50	28.11
26	Andrew Belfield	Unattached	M	28.24
27	Gerard Sheehy	Unattached	M	28.33
28	Alison Smith	Unattached	F	28.35
29	Dave Willis	Unattached	MV50	28.45
30	Muma Rahman	Wilmslow RC	LV40	28.45
31	Iona Cummings	Macclesfield Harriers	F	28.53
32	Chris Cannon	Wilmslow RC	MV50	28.59
33	Janine Ellis	Wilmslow RC	LV40	29.02
34	Roy Pownall	Wilmslow RC	MV60	29.21
35	Allan Armour	Scottish Vets	MV50	29.35
36	Daniel Harle	Unattached	M	29.49
37	Roberta Sanderson	Unattached	F	30.30
38	Angela Foster	Unattached	LV40	30.33
39	Soraya Mason	Wilmslow RC	LV40	30.49
40	Nina Birch	Wilmslow RC	F	30.59
41	Trevor Faulkner	Wilmslow RC	MV60	31.38
42	Steve Adraia	Unattached	MV40	33.31
43	Sarah Miles	Wilmslow RC	F	33.46
44	Mick Edwards	Dark Peak FR	MV60	34.25
45	Elspeth Gibson	Wilmslow RC	F	35.50
46	Martin Wheeldon	Wilmslow RC	MV50	39.10
47	Maria Crosbie	Tufty	LV40	41.02
(47 finishers)

More pictures of sweaty runners at :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilgunn/sets/72157624368769070/

Don

Tables Updated

age/sex adjusted times, race 9

Warrington 10k
	discount	time
Damian Nicholls	0%	32:18
Tony Hulme	20%	32:19
Rob Downs	7%	32:29
Graham MacNeil	9%	33:31
Andy Watts	18%	33:51
Jamie Smith	21%	33:54
Clare Hawkes	20%	34:52
Nicky Mowat	22%	35:02
Christine Geraghty	19%	35:21
Gavin Mendham	18%	35:42
Louise Rudd	12%	35:55
Kate Sutton	19%	36:16
Ian Ashcroft	22%	36:32
Simon Fenton	24%	36:56
Paul Norris	13%	37:10
Penny Hinke	21%	37:45
Rob Gilbert	4%	37:48
Don Bullough	13%	38:44
Richard Hirons	7%	38:57
Janine Ellis	15%	39:30
Sarah Waite	11%	39:38
Rod Coombs	17%	39:38
Steve Russell	12%	39:41
John Porteous	16%	39:58
Trevor Faulkner	24%	41:10
Sharon Jones	16%	41:17
Mathew Atkinson	0%	41:30
Huma Rahman	15%	41:47
Roy Pownall	19%	41:55
Gareth  Trimble	2%	42:03
Monique Geraghty	11%	43:05
Chris Cannon	13%	43:44
Nina Birch	11%	44:06
Stephen Feber	17%	45:02
Carolyn Hirons	16%	45:26
Gail Hill	13%	46:41
Andrew Dodd	3%	46:44
Chris Watts	0%	47:10
Elspeth Gibson	14%	47:15
Owen Ashcroft	0%	47:46
James Gowin	0%	48:22
Helen Crews	11%	51:26
Martin Wheeldon	17%	54:34

 

 

Damian with his third successive age/sex 60 points overhauls Tony and moves to the top of the table. Tony also has three victories and is comfortably second.

 

Rob finished above both Damian and Tony last year but was third here and second to Damian at Hollins Green.

 

Tom, who won last year, had a second at Whitley and first place at the Chester Half.

 

Graham who has a second and four fourths in his five races is also a contender. Malcolm another contender has only one race, third at Goyt Valley.

 

Clare continues to lead the female challengers.

 

Ian

Platt Fields 10k

27 June 2010

Fast and flat this should be the fastest 10k but for some reason the times didn't seem to reflect that.  Three and a half laps on nice paths all inside the park make it a great race for spectators and there is a 3k junior race too. 

It was another day at the office for Damian who ran smoothly for his second win of the weekend.  I felt something of a return to pre VLM form as I worked through a reasonable field to secure my favourite 4th position and even had a look at 3rd on the last lap.  Trevor completed the winning Wilmslow team.

1  Damian Nicholls     32:52
4  Rob Downs     1V45  34:58
7  Trevor Morris     3V45  36:30

126 ran

Full results at http://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2010/platt10.htm

Langley Fete 2010

Langley picked a good day for their village Fete.  The sun shone, the crowds arrived, the WI cake stall sold out, the beer tent did a roaring trade, and the prize pets were judged.  Oh, and there was a fell race.

We set off from the familiar field (familiar from the Autumn Langley 7), but turned in an unfamiliar direction on leaving the field, the direction being - up.  A couple of hundred metres of climb sorted the field out pretty well, and we struggled to recover on the circuit of Tegg's Nose.  The equally precipitous descent also re-sorted the field, to reveal hidden talents in some, and a major development opportunity for others.

Overall a super afternoon out.  There may have been a football match, but Langley Fete surpassed it, especially in the result.  Some photos are on the club web-site.

More photos now available here :http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilgunn/sets/72157624368769070/

Andy

Summer Series - Race 9

Warrington 10k

A course of twists and turns, it has not, in the past, been  one of the more popular, but a Grand Prix race this year and back in the Series for the first time since 2006, Warrington brought a bumper turn-out of, I think, 42 Wilmslow vests. A cooler, 19 ^o, evening with a noticeable breeze.

We were light on Group One and will have to see how the Men's Grand Prix team fared. Damian won another race, and our counters look like Rob  6th., Graham 19th, Andy 76th., Matt 81st.and Richard 86th.  I can't find Rob Gilbert in the results,  James Gowin was 185th. in 48:22 but not listed as Wilmslow. Don will update the tables when the queries have been sorted and, if they're reasonably quick at Langley, take the two races together.

Clare ,robbed by injury last year, now has her first T-shirt and mug already in the bag and made it 9 races out of 9. She's the only ever-present but a further  9 have completed 8 races.

Don Bullough, Christine Geraghty, Rod Coombs and Monique Geraghty made it 15 names on the 2010 T-shirt.

After Damian the table looks likely to be Tony second, Richard third, Don, Clare, Kate, Sarah, Christine up to 8th., Ian, Owen, Rod up to 11th., Julie, Roy, Monique jumping to 14th. and Martin. Katy is the leading runner on six races and Graham on five. As we approach halfway in the Series, this leader-board reflects a mix of enthusiasm and ability but, as we move through the summer, sadly, the latter will start to dominate.

Louise was 68th and 3rd. lady overall. We had a strong ladies' team for the Grand Prix; Clare, 113th and 1st.L45., Christine at 116th and Sarah 127th. were our team counters.   

The Ladies' continues to be the most interesting table. Katy (4), Louise (4) and Clare have the wins. Clare retains top place in the table.  Sarah's points here replace in her best-7  her walk round the Chester Half and take her above Kate. Christine comes into the leaders at 4th. then Julie with Monique moving up to 6th. Katy has 4 wins and two seconds, Penny is 8th, then Gail, Sharon, Nina and 12th. Louise, who is unbeaten in her four races.

Tony registered his third Group 3/4 victory. Louise was second, Andy (a bit of gentle exercise between the Bob Graham and the Tour de France étape, but clearly in good shape) third, Matt 4th. and Richard 5th. Paul Norris, in his first Wilmslow race, was 6th. Then came Jamie, Gareth and  Gavin, whose knee seems to holding-up well. Chris was running his first race of the season and should, like last year, steadily improve as he works-off the winter excesses.

Steve Smith and Tony both have 3 wins, James 2, and Peter 1. Tony has led the table since Goyt Valley but Steve and James are going to be difficult to hold-off. Richard is second, Don jumps up to third.  Christine moves up to  4th. I have Kate ,Clare and Sarah tied on 361 points with a gap then Ian who completes those who have  their 7 races,  Katy and Matt stand on the threshold.

John registered his fourth Group 5/6 win. Owen beat Penny in a desperate sprint and Andy did the same to Rod, who, nevertheless, had his best run of the Series. Simon's work on 5ks paid dividends over the longer distance whilst Roy struggled and Chris was also below par. Sharon is always a force but seems to slow in the latter stages. Huma, who should be challenging at the top of Group 5, is paying the price for lack of training but Nina who has found her form and Gail has another PB. Elspeth, Helen and Carolyn are building towards their first T-shirt and mug. Stephen, who usually saves himself for Gawsworth, made a surprise early incursion and slips into the main table at 76th.

 John has 4 wins from 4 races,  Penny  has won 3 times, Owen and Chris once each.  Owen stays at the top of the table. Rod jumps into second place ahead of Roy, Monique moves up to 4th. followed by  ex-leader, Julie, and Martin. One more race could see both Penny and Chris in the top 3.

It is part of the joy of the Summer Series that my best run to date brought no increase to my points total. An evening in the pub watching the football would have seen me exactly where I am in the tables and without,  after having gained revenge for Hollins Green at Bowdon, another defeat to Janine. Still it was the first time I had beaten John for a long time and being ahead of Penny is always a pleasure. England's incompetence means that instead of Ghana yesterday evening followed by Uruguay they have contrived to get themselves in a quarter that involves Germany this afternoon and, in the unlikely event of shackling Ozil and company, Argentina. I had a good solution for today; Derek's first love is Scunthorpe United, he's now a Macclesfield Town season-ticket holder and lives in Langley - but he's not answering his phone.

Ian

Whaley Waltz

Saturday 26th June

1	Malcolm Johnson (Stockport)	40:27
2	Jim Pendrill	40:44
67	Don Bullough	52:12
82	Geoff Gilbert	54:49
(181 finishers) This was the third running of this race, forming part of the Whaley Bridge Carnival.  The heat of the afternoon didn't seem to affect fresh legs Jim who led most of the way only to be denied before the plunge! Don

Warrington 10k

Summer Series -  Race 9
1	Damian Nicholls	32:18
6	Rob Downs	35:03
19	Graham MacNeil	36:39
62	Tony Hulme	40:31
68	Louise Rudd	40:47
76	Andy Watts	41:14
81	Mathew Atkinson	41:30
86	Richard Hirons	41:54
94	Paul Norris	42:31
101	Jamie Smith	42:52
103	Gareth  Trimble	42:59
112	Gavin Mendham	43:33
113	Clare Hawkes	43:38
116	Christine Geraghty	43:45
124	Don Bullough	44:24
127	Sarah Waite	44:35
129	Nicky Mowat	44:40
130	Kate Sutton	44:45
131	Steve Russell	44:51
147	Janine Ellis	46:19
155	Ian Ashcroft	46:33
163	Chris Watts	47:10
168	John Porteous	47:23
174	Owen Ashcroft	47:46
175	Penny Hinke	47:54
177	Andrew Dodd	47:59
178	Rod Coombs	48:02
186	Simon Fenton	48:23
189	Monique Geraghty	48:28
199	Huma Rahman	49:04
200	Sharon Jones	49:07
208	Nina Birch	49:37
213	Chris Cannon	50:28
230	Roy Pownall	51:51
250	Gail Hill	53:41
253	Stephen Feber	54:03
254	Carolyn Hirons	54:10
255	Trevor Faulkner	21:00
258	Elspeth Gibson	54:50
281	Helen Crews	57:52
303	Martin Wheeldon	05:26
anyone missing (Rob Gilbert?) or errors to
ian@ianashcroft.com and d.bullough@which.net, please
Ian

Langley Fete Fell Race

Tony has confirmed that the race is definitely on.

 

Start/Finish in the village playing field where the Langley 7 used to finish.

 

Start is 2:30 (registration from 1pm), Tony thinks we’ll all be finished by 5 past 3.

 

There is a pub in the village which will be showing the football as is The Coach House (just before you enter the village on the right, it’s the one we often drink at after races).

 

They are not sure if the car park we use for the Langley 7 will be available, if not suggestion is to go into the village, fork right at the church and park up that road.

 

Ian

British Masters 5k Road Championships

Horwich, 20th June 2010

A challenging 5k race around a closed 1 mile circuit around Horwich town centre.  There was a sizeable hill to be tackled 4 times but the racing was fast and furious with over 30 runners sub 17 minutes.  Unfortunately the quality of the BMAF organisation didn't match that of the athletes - there was practically no current information available before the race and although individual results have finally been published the team results are unavailable - it seems partly due to confusion over the make up of teams and categories.

Wilmslow fielded a V45 dream team and if there was a V45 team category then we won it whether 3 or 4 runners.  If it was a V40 team then I think that we were 3rd behind Bingley and Salford but still a fine effort.

Louise carried the flag in the ladies race and finished 4th in her category although like the rest of us she had a few V50s in front.

Hopefully the organisation will be better next year but this isn't far to travel to compete in a national event and now that we know about it Wilmslow would do well to send a few teams in the categories where we have strength and depth.  We all found the course tough but we would get faster with practice on a similar loop and as Nick would say we can compete with the UK's best!

Rob

1 00:15:37 268 Parker J CLC Striders   V35 M
2 00:15:39 397 Dunkerley J East Cheshire Harriers  V40 M
23 00:16:45 307 Downs R Wilmslow RC   8V45 M
26 00:16:50 367 Parrott S Wilmslow RC   10V45 M
39 00:17:22 293 Morris T Wilmslow RC   15V45 M
50 00:17:58 385 MacNeil G Wilmslow 18V45 M
87 00:19:41 249 Rudd L Wilmslow 4V35 F

155 finishers

Wilmslow 1st MV45 team

Results at http://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2010/

Dunham Revisited

Dunham Massey 5k - 17 June 2010

Another magical sunny evening racing around the beautiful grounds.  But that last k doesn't get any easier.

1 Dave Norman M (Altrincham) 15.12
2 Damian Nicholls M  15.23
10 JIM Pendrill M  16.37
14 Rob Downs MV45  16.45
30 Graham Macneil MV45  17.48
35 James Wheeler M  17.54
38 Ray Eagle MV55  17.58
56 Rob Gilbert MV40  19.20
70 Matthew Atkinson M  19.58
109 Jane  Mulryan FV55  21.29
115 Ellen Downs FJ  21.46
136 Penny Hinke FV50  22.41

210 finishers

Full results at http://www.ukresults.net/2010/dunham2.html

Rob

Gun Run 2010

Unfortunately, the much loved Gun Run - judging by our usual inexplicable very high turn-out - will not be run this year.  However, the organisers hope to reinstate the race next year.

 

Don

Pennine Lancashire 5k

A reminder from George Davies of Blackburn Harriers that the Pennine Lancashire 5k will be held on 11th July.  It incorporates the Northern 5k Championships and the England Athletics 5k Championships.  Entry form is on the Blackburn Harriers site.

Potters Half Marathon

13th June 2010

I'd been told about the hills.  I'd been warned not to do it. 

It was hard work trying to keep up with Michelle R-C and then being left for dead on the big hills.  So a poor time but after this any half will hopefully feel easy.

Well done Soraya dipping under 2 hours chip time on this course.

Rob

1 Martin WILLIAMS (Tipton) 01:09:02
3 Michelle ROSS-COPE F35 (Stoke) 01:15:10
8 Rob DOWNS 1M45 01:17:40
757 Soraya MASON 01:58:37

1394 finishers

Full results http://www.ukresults.net/2010/potters.html

Bramhall parkrun: Event 108

12 June 2010

It was almost perfect running conditions and another busy day in the park.  With Stuart and I both resting there was a chance for some of the regulars in the following pack to enjoy the fresh at the front.  The first 3 and 7 in the top 10 were unattached.

The ladies race was a 1-2-3 for the new Wilmslow ladies Sally, Jane and Janine.  The WRC training must be doing the trick for Sally as she recorded a big new course PB.

The Wilmslow men were more subdued but Mark Bale was well up there eventually just being pipped for third.  Ian remains 6th on the M60 all time list but is still looking to find over a minute between the woods and the water to leap into the top 5. 

Young James Parrott had the run of the day with a 40s PB for 5th and a sprint finish that his old dad can only dream about.

1 Barry ARCHBOLD 17:52 SM35-39 74.72 % M 1  New PB!
4 Mark BALE 18:36 SM30-34 70.52 % M 4 
5 James PARROTT 18:47 JM14 77.20 % M 5
34 Giles ROWLINSON 21:07 SM20-24 61.09 % M 34 
54 Sally JOHNSTON 21:57 VW45-49 72.74 % F 1  New PB!
64 Jane MULRYAN 22:15 VW55-59 81.12 % F 2
80 Janine ELLIS 22:43 VW40-44 67.94 % F 3 
90 Ian ASHCROFT 22:58 VM60-64 72.35 % M 85 

310 finishers

Full results, photos, Jim's report at http://www.parkrun.org.uk/bramhall/Results/WeeklyResults.aspx?runSeqNumber=108

And video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBDqDY33psk

Rob

Age/sex adjusted times for Hollins Green and Bowdon

 

	Hollins Green		Bowdon
Damian Nicholls	15:18	Damian Nicholls	15:04
Rob Downs	15:34	Ray Eagle	15:15
Tony Hulme	15:40	Tony Hulme	15:36
Trevor Morris	15:44	Graham MacNeil	15:45
Jim Pendrill	16:05	Jim Pendrill	15:52
Jane Mulryan	16:52	Jane Mulryan	16:15
Christine Geraghty	16:57	Jamie Smith	16:15
Clare Hawkes	17:04	Louise Rudd	16:45
Steve Smith	17:11	Clare Hawkes	16:45
Louise Rudd	17:13	Ian Ashcroft	17:00
Geoff Gilbert	17:13	Katy Green	17:07
Nicky Mowat	17:14	Kate Sutton	17:09
Katy Green	17:36	James Wheeler	17:22
Ian Ashcroft	17:54	Penny Hinke	17:22
Don Bullough	17:57	Gavin Mendham	17:29
Simon Fenton	18:10	Simon Fenton	17:31
Penny Hinke	18:15	Richard Hirons	17:51
James Wheeler	18:15	Rob Gilbert	17:58
Richard Hirons	18:26	Nick Bishop	18:26
Nick Bishop	18:52	Roy Pownall	18:27
James Eyre	18:59	Janine Ellis	18:35
Peter Bannister	19:02	Peter Bannister	18:41
Roy Pownall	19:13	Sarah Waite	18:52
Janine Ellis	19:23	Sharon Jones	18:55
Rod Coombs	19:49	Soraya Mason	19:13
Sharon Jones	19:49	Mathew Atkinson	19:18
Chris Cannon	20:12	Rod Coombs	19:23
Soraya Mason	20:23	Steffi Sperring	19:59
Giles Rowlinson	21:15	Nina Birch	20:26
Monique Geraghty	21:21	Carolyn Hirons	20:40
Julie Lucas	21:39	Andrew Dodd	21:44
Gail Hill	23:22	Gail Hill	21:52
Owen Ashcroft	23:40	Owen Ashcroft	22:05
Martin Wheeldon	24:49	James Gowin	23:42
		Martin Wheeldon	24:23

 

Although Damian dominated the main Summer Series league last year, this was not true when the times were adjusted for age and sex. He was beaten into fifth place by Tom (who was also top in 2008), Rob, Tony and Mick. This year may turn-out differently.

 

Mick has won the two races he has run but was injured for both these 5k races. Tom has also run only two races; second to Mick at Whitley and first at Chester. Tony was first at  Sandstone, Goyt Valley and Alexandra Park. Damian now has two 1^st., four 2^nd. and a 5^th. and  is closing fast on Tony at the top of the table. Beating Tony (on an age/sex adjusted basis) in the next race would almost certainly take Damian into first place.

 

With Rob and Malcolm, both of whom could win this category, yet to get their campaigns on the road, Damian is starting to look the man to beat.

 

When I first looked at the age/sex adjusted times for those who had run both Hollins and Bowdon they looked wrong, but looking at the actual times of those who ran both races provided the answer. Damian and Jim, at the front, set the benchmark, both were 14 seconds faster at Bowdon. We would have expected this differential to stretch as we moved down the field, to perhaps 22 seconds for Group 5. The actual results, however, do not conform to this pattern, in fact they do not conform to any pattern, some of us might want to ask ourselves some questions about our consistency.

 

The top eleven places in age/sex adjusted table (see the website), like all the other tables are, at this stage, determined firstly by who has run the most races and it is only the position within that eleven which reflects the quality of our running. After Tony and Damian, Clare and Kate in third and fourth lead the female challenge then it is Ian, Richard, Sarah, Roy, Owen, Julie and Martin.

 

Summer Series - Race 8

Bowdon  5k

After the heat of Hollins Green, a more temperate 15^o evening for our second 5k in a week. This is a fast course, and I know of PBs for Damian, Louise, Matt, Nina and Gail. I suspect there were others.

Damian at 4k was threatening to go under the magic 15 minutes but in the end had to settle for yet another race win in what is proving to be a stunning season. Jim was our second runner home, 10th.  then followed Graham, James and Ray. Rob is not yet back to last year’s peak and Nick is nursing himself back,

Carolyn had her first race in a Wilmslow vest, James Gowrie made his debut and, with Jamie making his 2010 entrance, the participants in this year's competition moved-up to 73. The names of Damian Nicholls, Tony Hulme, Richard Hirons, Kate Sutton, Sarah Waite, Ian Ashcroft, Owen Ashcroft, Roy Pownall and Martin Wheeldon went onto the 2010 T-shirt and mug. Only 8 races gone and already 11 have completed the qualifying 7 races. For those of us in the 11, its now all uphill; extra points need to be ground out, whilst better runners, who've opted for a gentler start, push us, race by race, down the table. Nevertheless it is pleasurable to stand, for a while, at the top looking down.

The inevitable has happened rather sooner than in previous years; Damian, 7 races and a perfect 420 points goes to the top of the table. Thereafter it reads second Tony, third Richard, Clare, Sarah, Kate, Ian, Owen, Roy, Julie and Martin.

There was the prospect of a record Summer Series turn-out but the race was declared full earlier in the week, leaving those who had planned on entering on the night frustrated. The positive was that the runners had a lot of support. Pre-entry, particularly  for the Sale Sizzler and Pie & Peas, might be wise. The second positive, if you made the cut, was that, for once, Series points at Bowdon were respectable, even for those of us down the pecking order.

 Louise, was first Wilmslow lady and 3rd. overall. Katy, as at Hollins, was second Wilmslow lady. Clare was third then Sarah and Kate. Jane, another Bramhall recruit, went one better than Hollins to be 1st. L55.  Janine, also in her second race, was sixth then Penny, Steffi, Sharon, Soraya, Nina, Carolyn, and Gail.

Clare stays top of the Ladies’ league, a mere two points ahead of Kate, who herself is only three ahead of Sarah. Katy is next with 4 wins and two seconds in six races but Louise; three races, three wins remains unbeaten.

Peter was first home in Group 3/4. Louise had said at the weekend she believed she was capable of going under 19 minutes, Bowdon moved her right to the edge of that target as she picked-up the 59 points. Richard was third, then Matt, Tony (first M60 again), Katy, Jamie, Clare, Kate, Sarah, Jane, Gavin, Ian and Janine.

Matt's magnificent PB was the last straw, he's been promoted from Group 5/6 to 3/4.

Penny, who used only to be able to run the hills and the longer distances, had her second  5k 5/6 win in a week catching Owen in the last kilometre. Andy was third followed by Steffi, Sharon, Roy, Soraya, Simon, Nina, Rod, James, Carolyn, Gail, and Martin.

Four  5/6 runners have completed their 7 races; Owen and Roy move above Julie with Martin bringing-up the quartet. John who looked hot favourite (Matt aside) has a 100% record of three races, three wins. He has, however, been injured and missed the last three races all of which have been won by Penny.  Chris and Owen have one win each.

A fortnight’s gap to the Warrington 10k. It has not been in the Series for four years but, on the basis of hot evening in 2006, it is a slowish course. Not, if my memory is correct, hilly but lots of twists and turns.

Summer Series - Race 8

Tables Updated - Don

BOWDON 5k
Damian won, again
Louise 3rd. Lady
Jane 1st.L55
Tony 1st.M60
PBs from Damian, Louise, Matt, Nina, Gail
and probably others
1		Damian Nicholls	15:04
10		Jim Pendrill	16:24
25		Graham MacNeil	17:13
29		James Wheeler	17:22
76		Tony Hulme	19:33
43		Ray Eagle	17:52
58		Peter Bannister	18:41
62		Rob Gilbert	18:47
66		Louise Rudd	19:01
70		Richard Hirons	19:12
73		Mathew Atkinson	19:18
83		Katy Green	19:38
106		Jamie Smith	20:33
113		Nick Bishop	20:50
118		Clare Hawkes	20:58
119		Kate Sutton	21:10
122		Sarah Waite	21:14
123		Jane Mulryan	21:17
124		Gavin Mendham	21:20
131		Ian Ashcroft	21:40
135		Janine Ellis	21:48
141		Penny Hinke	22:02
142		Owen Ashcroft	22:05
147		Andrew Dodd	22:19
150		Steffi Sperring	22:29
151		Sharon Jones	22:30
156		Roy Pownall	22:49
159		Soraya Mason	22:55
160		Simon Fenton	22:57
161		Nina Birch	22:59
164		Rod Coombs	23:30
165		James Gowin	23:42
182		Carolyn Hirons	24:38
193		Gail Hill	25:09
215		Martin Wheeldon	29:15
errors, anyone missing, to ian@ianashcroft.com
and d.bullough@which.net, please

New Thursday route

A small band (who had failed to get into Bowden) scouted a new Thursday route yesterday (10/June).  Led by Steve we headed cross-country to the Edge, and then back via the 'old' Edge route and Fulshaw Park.  I have to admit we got slightly lost in the Edge and added a bit on to make it exactly 10 miles - whereas cutting out some of the extra loops would reduce it to 8.

Expect to experience it yourself some coming Thursday!  Route we took is here.

Summer Series - Race 7

Hollins Green 5k

4:30 on a hot Saturday afternoon in half-term week held promise of some good Summer Series points, but it wasn't to be. Tony had stressed our need for the Cheshire Grand Prix and Group 1 emerged from their post-London hibernation.  Kate was off enjoying herself elsewhere but had made sure that the Ladies were also there in strength, including Jane and Janine both making their debuts in a Wilmslow vest. Quality as well as quantity so all the sweat brought little in the way of Summer Series points and not exactly PB weather either, 24^o, although I heard Steve Smith got one.

Damian won the race, Jim was  11th., Rob 13th. and Trevor 20th. Together they made Wilmslow the winning club. Rob was 2nd.M45. James Wheeler, finishing 53rd, was the 5th. Wilmslow runner. Just to see Nick, even in the early stages, struggling with his calf was painful but at least it keeps his mind off his groin injury.

Race 7 brings to an end the first phase of the Series. My comments on the tables are subject to confirmation, or more likely, correction from Don. Clare Hawkes and Julie Lucas became  the first names on the 2010 T-shirt and mug. They also lead the main table but may not still be there when we're struggling up the Langley hill in the November mist and rain. In fact their glory might not last a week; Damian leads those who have completed six races followed by Tony, Richard, Don, Kate, Sarah, Christine, Ian, Owen, Roy, Monique and Martin.

Giles and Martin Mulryan, making their Summer Series debuts, Rob, Jim, Jane and Janine increase to 71 the participants in this year's competition.

Lots of vocal support included an injured Mick and Angie, who preferred a training run and the pub to racing.

Louise beat Katy to first Wilmslow lady, making this two wins in two races. They were followed by Christine, Clare, Nicky, Jane,  Janine, Penny, Sharon, Soraya, Monique and Gail. Louise was 1st., and Katy second, L35. Nicky was 2nd.L50 and Jane 2nd.L55. Janine, Christine and Penny were 3rd. L40, L45 and L50 respectively.

The Ladies team (Louise, Katy, Christine) finished third behind Vale Royal and Spectrum with Wilmslow 2 (Clare, Nicky, Jane) finishing 5th.

Clare heads the Ladies' table, Julie has also completed her seven races. On six races we have Kate, Sarah Waite, Christine and Monique. Katy now has four wins and a second, then come Penny, Sarah Miles and Gail who have completed four.

Steve  made it three wins in three races in Group 3/4. James Eyre made it two wins and two second places. Peter has a third to add to his second. 4th. was Louise, then Tony, an excellent 1st.M60, Richard, Katy, Don, Geoff, Christine, Giles, Clare, Nicky, Jane, Janine and Ian.

Clare is also top of the 3/4 table. Tony heads those who have run six races followed by Richard, Don, Sarah, Kate, Christine and Ian. Katy has run five. James Eyre heads those who have run four.

Penny had her first 5/6 victory of this season followed-in by Chris. Then, in less than a minute, there were six Wilmslow runners; Sharon five seconds ahead of a tiring Owen, who escaped by six seconds from the humiliation of being beaten by Roy, whose pride was saved only by two seconds from Simon, who doesn't 'do' 5ks but managed in the final kilometre to haul-in Rod, who thought it was a 1k race. Then another 18 seconds to Soraya who says she doesn't like the heat but managed to finish looking remarkably cool. Monique was not far behind this Wilmslow cluster then a gap to Julie and Gail and finally Martin and Martin (but he beat the half-hour you might note).

Julie retains her place as pace-setter in 5/6. Positions two to five are also unchanged; Owen, Roy, Monique and Martin. Chris and Rod move up a place. Matt, Sarah and Penny complete the top ten. Matt remains unbeaten.

I'll comment on age/sex taking Hollins Green and Bowdon together.

History suggests that Bowdon will be about 17 second faster than Hollins Green, that's if you are Damian, 25 seconds if you are Group 5. The temperature promises to be kinder on Thursday and it is a PB course on which most people do their best 5k of the year. Combine this with it being local and based at a good pub and you will understand why it is always one of the most popular races. Do it for a time, don't expect many Series points.  

Ian

Tables now updated - Don

Summer Series - Race 7

		Hollins Green 5k
1		Damian Nicholls	15:18	1st.	M
11		Jim Pendrill	16:38		M
13		Rob Downs	16:48	2nd.	M45
20		Trevor Morris	17:20		M45
43		James Wheeler	18:15		M
57		Steve Smith	18:54		M45
62		James Eyre	18:59		M
65		Peter Bannister	19:02		M
76		Louise Rudd	19:33	1st.	L35
78		Tony Hulme	19:38	1st.	M60
84		Richard Hirons	19:50		M45
95		Katy Green	20:11	2nd.	L35
104		Don Bullough	20:35		M50
108		Geoff Gilbert	20:40	5th.	M55
116		Christine Geraghty	20:58	3rd.	L45
125		Giles Rowlinson	21:15		M
128		Nick Bishop	21:19		M50
132		Clare Hawkes	21:22	4th.	L45
144		Nicky Mowat	21:59	2nd.	L50
147		Jane Mulryan	22:06	2nd.	L55
161		Janine Ellis	22:44	3rd.	L40
162		Ian Ashcroft	22:48		M60
171		Penny Hinke	23:09	3rd.	L50
173		Chris Cannon	23:18		M50
177		Sharon Jones	23:35		L40
178		Owen Ashcroft	23:40		M
179		Roy Pownall	23:46		M60
181		Simon Fenton	23:48		M60
185		Rod Coombs	24:01		M55
189		Soraya Mason	24:19		L40
197		Monique Geraghty	24:01		L
211		Julie Lucas	26:27		L45
216		Gail Hill	26:52		L35
220		Martin Mulryan	27:09		M50
235		Martin Wheeldon	29:46		M55
245		finished
anyone missing or errors to ian@ianashcroft.com, please

Bramhall parkrun: Event 106

29th May 2010

This week saw us pass the milestone of 100,000km run (in other words 20,000 5k results recorded in the 106 events so far).  The cool, showery weather while not ideal for the organisers provided good conditions for a quick 5k workout before heading for the cafe. 

Despite racing at Dunham just 12 hours before, Christine managed to knock a full minute off her Bramhall PB and was just pipped for first lady.

1 Rob DOWNS 17:15 VM45-49 82.80 % M 1 
8 Steve SMITH 19:12 VM45-49 75.61 % M 8 
20 Richard HIRONS 20:29 VM45-49 69.24 % M 20 
28 Giles ROWLINSON 21:00 SM20-24 61.43 % M 28 
31 Christine GERAGHTY 21:13 VW45-49 77.85 % F 2 
47 Pete STOCK 22:09 VM50-54 68.77 % M 45 
89 Sharon JONES 24:02 VW40-44 65.26 % F 7 
92 Chris CANNON 24:11 VM50-54 62.99 % M 85 
132 Elspeth GIBSON 26:01 VW35-39 58.55 % F 18 
138 Gail HILL 26:08 VW35-39 57.72 % F 22

274 finished 5k

Full results at http://www.parkrun.org.uk/bramhall/Results/WeeklyResults.aspx?runSeqNumber=106

Rob

Sale 5

31st May 2010

It's never as easy as it looks running round a flat park and yesterday seemed particularly hard work.  A PW for me by some distance as I proved that 3 races in a weekend doesn't work.

A good showing by the rest of the Wilmslow team with plenty of age category 2nds and 3rds.

   1  Andi Jones    Salford Harriers   24:34
  18  Rob Downs     V45   2 Wilmslow Running Club 28:04
  19  Trevor Morris     V45   3 Wilmslow Running Club 28:27
  77  Christine Geraghty   L45   2 Wilmslow Running Club 34:18
127  Simon Fenton V65   2 Wilmslow Running Club 38:39

211 ran full results at http://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2010/sale5.htm

Rob

Photos

A couple of new additions to the photo album on the left :

• Mobberley trail race
• Chester half

Nick.