Monday, December 17, 2007

A belated review of the excellent event last Wednesday at Rydalmere.

Around 175/180 runners fronted the rather soggy fields at Cowells Lane to find a tighter course than previous experience at this location. Steve Holloway deployed most of the mapped area with good points in the western creek line and a tempting arc to the south. It looked like low fives rather than 600, and with champion Andrew Hill on a spell, scoring was distinctly lower still. Many runners were late, being dragged 'off clock' by the widely dispersed 30 pointers.

There seemed to be three start options (via #2, #6 or #1), although few took the north east beginning. The loop via #1 and the south involved a tricky run to collect #21 and #30 where the high fences annoyed the unwary. Getting back from the map bottom needed a good plug up via #16 and the road crossing to #17. Many competitors were caught waiting at the lights near here and lost prescious seconds.

Another loop that worked well was via 2, 13, 5 and on to 25, 9, 24 and a road run to 22 before collecting the western creek and a mid map dash home via 27 and the aforementioned lights.

Many runners had problems with #29, generally agreed to be in a poorly mapped area. Those that persisted found it (higher up and to the west), but many gave up after thrashing around in the green - the bridge would probably have been a better option. Although these things happen from time to time, it is good to involve a little 'bush' work where maps have these areas. Despite this hiccup, the course proved challenging and enjoyable in a very runnable and open area. Look for more fun here next season.

And so on to this weeks pre Christmas blast at Balmoral Beach. This has become a favourite fixture in a tough but sensational area. The pleasures of the beachside promenade and the terrors of the Awaba Street hill!! Course setter Terry Bluett has added some new areas to the east which will add interest and probably means Chinamans Beach will get the flick this time around. Lots to look forward to - including the old tram line route up to the top. Classic summer series with fish and chips on the beach afterwards - a great way to see off our first half and share a bit of Christmas cheer amongst the SSS addicto's. Look for edition two of the famous and scandalous 'Pork Pie Form Guide', which should be available at Balmoral.

So, as well as saying 'see you there', this is also a time to thank all the runners and organisers this season and to wish everyone very best wishes for Christmas and the holiday break. Our first event back is on January 2 at the east end of the Gladesville Hospital map. A chance to experience a great area from another angle. It will be a cracker.

1 comment:

x said...

The smart money is on the move. Michael Free is showing consistency. Tim Rogers is showing form. Tim Petterson made an emphatic statement last start. Peter Annetts ankle is on the mend. Jonothon Potts is lurking. Andy Simpson (last years winner) is waiting until after christmas, to give himself a fair dinkum challenge. Anthony Petterson cant let it happen two years in a row. Jaap Baker appears disinterested...So the market is...

Peter Annetts 4/1 (3/1)
Tim Rogers 7/1 (8/1)
Michael Free 7/1 (7/1)
Anthony Petterson 10/1 (10/1)
Tim Petterson 10/1 (15/1)
Malcolm Bradley 15/1 (30/1)
Jonathon Potts 20/1 (15/1)
Andy Simpson 20/1 (10/1)
Paul Carruthers 50/1 (30/1)
Chris Schulz 50/1 (100/1)
Jim McLean 60/1 (30/1)
Mark Rivers 60/1 (50/1)
Shane Henry 60/1
Jaap Baker 100/1

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