The final race in the 2010 handicap series featured 7 P.B.s and 2 new entries into the men’s top 20 ratings.
First across the finish line by possibly the biggest ever winning margin and probably the best P.B. improvement (nearly 6 mins. !) was Stuart the Austin Sprite. What will he be capable of if he can stay fit for more than a few weeks ? Stuart’s winning time took him to no. 17 on the all-time rankings over a course that has been competed on for 12 years. Adam was next over the line with another big improvement on his previous best. Jon was pleased with his third place as he continues his comeback, though he was still 3 mins. slower than his best ever time set last summer.
Kayleigh again sliced a chunk off her best time followed by Liza, the Austin Princess, who also reduced her best time by a sizeable margin to climb to 8th place on the female rankings list. Sue keeps chipping away at her best time to set yet another age-group record. At this rate of progress, Sue D. should break Sue C’s course record by 2020.
Neil Powell’s impressive first run around the course just squeezed him into 20th place in the rankings with the potential to move further up the table next year.
The most telling happening in the overall season’s competition, unbeknown to the players, was taking place further down the field where Mark was able to overhaul Gavin and Martin to narrowly win the 2010 Handicap Trophy based on the best 5 finishing positions in the 6 race series. Mark’s consistent and tenacious performances throughout the summer made him a worthy champion with Martin, Gavin and Kayleigh in the next placings to illustrate their advancement over the last year.
Highlights of the 2010 series would be the development of Gavin, Martin, Kayleigh, Liza and Stuart ; Guy’s remarkable August run in Croft Woods to knock over a minute off his own V65 record – he was as surprised as anyone to learn that he had run so quickly ; Bryan establishing a new super-dooper vet. age-group ; Sue D’s determined performances which have now placed her at no. 3 over the Leinthall Starkes course and no. 2 at Croft Woods with age-group records in both ; Mark’s conviction which was rewarded with the trophy ; Stacey’s 28.01 clocking at Leinthall and the record number of Croft runners competing in the series. The top award, however, must go to Simon for attempting to trace the source of the River Clun as he explored the north Herefordshire countryside instead of concentrating on the May race at Leinthall Starkes.
It seems the Duathlon will not now take place this year. The subject is expected to come up at the next AGM.
Congratulations to Rachel and Dave Moss on the birth of their son (Luke Matthew?) – already he sounds like a league cross-country contender!