Rain, 13C, and relative to the rest of the summer this was dreadful weather. On the other hand, if one could re-programme the head to winter conditions, this should have been very good for fast times and a fitting end to this year’s very close competition. Tony B had all the details in his head, being the series leader going into this race. He realised that if Diane came to this one she would be the only person to do the full 7 races this year and gain the right to drop her two worst positions – both of which (19th) were substantial drags on her overall score. Well, Diane did manage this – her 4th place giving her a total of 30 points. However, Tony’s 11th place allowed him to drop his 12th position in June which gave him……..(pause for effect, in best ‘British Bake-off’ tradition)……..30 points. The rules for separating a tie are lost in the recesses of my mind sometime in the late 1980s when Alan Catley and I (at North Shields Poly AC) invented them. Therefore, in order not to cause injustice, I declare that this year Diane and Tony are joint winners. Phil came close – only 2 points adrift – and is an honourable 3rd, ahead of Tony W whose chances were wrecked by a twisted ankle early in the season (quite apart from his newly married state) and finished with 45.
……………………………..Finishing time…….Actual time……….Points
1st Tracey………………….6.33.58pm………….25m28…………….1/1
2nd Ruth……………………..34.08pm………….33m08……………20/3
3rd Mark……………………..34.22……………….24m52…………….3/1
4th Diane……………………..34.27……………….33m57……………30/5*
5th Elen………………………..34.35………………25m05…………….36/3
6th Duncan…………………..34.44………………23m14……………..39/4
7th Phil…………………………35.14………………20m44……………..33/5*
8th Victoria…………………..35.22………………22m52……………..22/2
9th Menai……………………..35.24………………26m54……………..42/4
10th Tony W………………….35.26………………19m26……………..45/5*
11th Tony B……………………35.34………………22m34……………..30/5*
12th Mel………………………..35.44………………24m44……………..31/4
13th Bob………………………..35.51………………25m51………………46/4
14th Mari……………………….36.20……………..37m20………………64/5*
15th David B…………………..36.43……………..22m43………………25/2
16th Ron………………………..37.37………………37m37………………68/5
17th Rhian P..(late start)…37.41……………….22m41………………19/2
Anwen retired hurt.
Best score from five races indicated by asterisk.
2018 Fastest Man is Shaun with 17m36 in August.
2018 Fastest Woman is Rhian P with 20m31 in August.
