Race 10, The Birmingham University 5k, 15th October

Race 10, The Birmingham University 5k, 15th October
	Results
	Name	Age	Club Pos.	Actual Time	Age Graded Time		Performance Level % **	GP Points	Bonus Points
1	Alex Davidson-Elliott	65	3	20-27	15-56		81.40	50	6
2	Peter Whitehouse	17	1	16-28	16-06		80.57	46	12
3	Barry Roberts	66	7	23-03	17-46		73.01	44	2
4	Martin Wilkinson	47	2	19-43	18-01		71.98	43	8
5	Robin Davies	59	6	22-22	18-30		70.15	42	3
6	Ann Haywood	47	8	23-08	20-46		69.34	41	12
7	John Adams	56	5	22-04	18-45		69.21	40	4
8	Peter Lawton	49	4	21-41	19-31		66.47	39	5
9	Alan Britton	57	10	23-51	20-05		64.61	38	2
10	Surinder Singh	63	12	27-16	21-41		59.82	37	2
11	Julian Barnett	44	9	23-30	21-58		59.05	36	2
12	Lynette Millard	39	11	26-54	25-50		55.73	35	8

**	90%+ World Standard 80%+ National Standard					#	*Not wearing Club Vest*
	70%+ Regional Standard 60%+ Local Standard					L	*Not registered beforehand*
	<60% Club Standard

Well, what a finish to our Grand Prix? The most intriguing so far… and I’ve seen them all. But more of that later.

Quite a mild day greeted us at the Uni. and I’d say just right for a 5k blast! The course twists it’s way round the campus over three laps, so fast times were out. However most minds were on the GP situation where we had only 1 point separating positions 4 to 6 after the penultimate race, runners knocking on the door to the first six and an expected influx of youngsters in their first GP race, which could affect the overall placings. The latter failed to materialise with only Peter Whitehouse turning up to run.

The afore mentioned Peter started the race quickly and was contesting the lead after 1k and although slipping slightly he finished strongly in 16-28 and our first runner home. Martin sought revenge on Alex from last week’s ½ marathon by reversing their places coming home 34 seconds in front of Alex. Peter Lawton, fresh from a holiday in sunnier climes, was next in, followed by “BJ”.

Gordon Orme didn’t compete today, preferring instead to run the last of the WRRL races where he is currently first M60. However, his 1^st place in the GP was untouchable but what was interesting is what happened next! Alex had made great inroads over the last few races reaching 2^nd place overall, 36 points behind Gordon. Ann Haywood moved up 5 places to 3^rd jumping over Lynette who gained one place to move into 5^th position. Martin, despite a reasonable run here, fell a place from 3^rd place to 4^th but worst of all was the fact that John Adams and Barry Roberts who both have never been out of the first 6 since the competition began last December both fell to 7^th and 8^th respectively. Robin Davies as the outsider came in to take 6^th spot. There were only 8 points separating 5^th to 9^th places, the closest Grand Prix in years.

The awards will be presented at the Road Runners Annual Awards Social, which takes the form again this year of a Skittles Evening. This will take place on the 4^th November at the Walsall Arms, Bank Street, Walsall, starting at 7.30 pm. Skittle teams will be sorted and battle commences around 8 o’clock, this will be followed by a buffet and the presentations. All are welcome. Tickets are £5.00 from John Matthews.

Tom Morris