Just as the last daffodils of spring faded, the Dunham Massey 5k
blossomed and announced the North Cheshire series of five 5k races
through Cheshire countryside and a summer of 5k road races. The
scenic Dunham Massey 5k, organised by Altrincham AC/Spectrum
Striders is also the precursor to our own 4 x 5k Sizzlers. Run in
the very picturesque and serene surroundings of the Park, they were
for many who'd trained long and hard for Spring marathons and
half-marathon, the chance to get those legs moving fast again.
It was great to see Mike Hatch (17.18) back.
Take no notice of his 'slow' time and maybe this was the reason for
his 'feeling cold' during the race!! M45 Gary
Rowlinson (17.22 is also back and produced one of his
fastest times for years on this course. The quality of the men's
M45 team was further demonstrated by having Gary Willcock
(18.23) and Frank Cordingley (18:32)
finish in the top fifty. Frank's time was just a few seconds short
of his best in the Parkrun Platt Fields 5k's. This age-group could
be a formidable force in the BMAF 5k Championships in Horwich on
June 20th. Newcomer Matt Wansbone
(18.13) is an exciting new prospect who hadn't competed in
a 5k for a very long time and this was a massive PB that he'll soon
improve. Karl Barber's (18.34) massive
progress is well documented! Previous to Dunham his last 5k was in
last summer's Sizzler when he clocked a PB of 21.00. He'll also
improve further! Tim Brett (19:06), less than two
weeks after clocking 3:55 in the Windermere Marathon made a 26
second improvement on the Mayday 5k Mike Wharton's
(19:32), though still recovering from the 'trauma' of
'London' still clocked a course PB. It demonstrates his massive
progress also. Likewise M55 Jerry Smith
(20.05) had an excellent sharpener after his tough London
and hard training for it. Next came Michael Wymer
ran his second 5k race and a PB of about 2
minutes on the first race that was last year's Bowden 5k in
22.26 M50 Stefan Schumacher (21:04), just two
weeks after his second fastest marathon in his home city of Kassel
(Germany) came within a few seconds of his best. An exciting
sub-21career beckons! (Geoff Beattie's got no chance now!).
Jo Street (21:30) was also
in top form missing her 2007 course best by just two seconds.
M45 Ian Whitham (25.10) also has reason to be
pleased, clocking his fastest time despite a career that demands
incessant travel. For complete results, log onto http://www.ukresults.net
(Written by Fechin Mc Cormick)