Sydney Summer Series

CATCHING THE WATSONS BAY TRAM. GREEN & NOBLE BOOKEND GREAT SUMMER RUN AS VETS HEAD FOR THE GAP WITH BURTON BACK

A beautiful Sydney summer evening in the breezy eastern suburbs tempted over 200 of the faithful to catch the Watto tram and head on down to Parsley Bay for Baz and Janet's 'Gap Map' tribute run. This area had been used in the late 80's but has been dormant for many a long moon, and proved a very popular revise last evening - especially with it's one sided hill profile (high in the east, water level in the west) providing runners with a most unusual planning conundrum. Richy Green claimed the night with a full pot and 600 points, while Jennifer Noble walked to fame and fortune - and a perfect zero! Such is the rich tapestry and appeal of the Summer Series.

Most arriving SSS competitors were initially unsure of the exact spot - but resisted the 5 year olds party in the park and found the yellow banner. Upon producing the coin, a yellow confection awaited, with a good scatter of pots and a friendly 1:7500 map scale. Barry had even mapped many features in sprint map style (steps, tracks etc), so the detail was there for the most discerning Wednesday addict.

So what was to be seen? A distraction in the south west with an extendable loop to the north and east appeared to be the go. Checkpoints 17,28 and 21 added a bit of middle, but from there on it was basically a circle game with a nice mid score cut off at 13-5, or the extra 90 points on offer further north for the young guns. The southern group was to add 'if time permitted' - and caught many short, none worse than Anthony 'I Shrunk The Kids' Petterson running across the bridge against the clock to 29 and 8, and forgetting to write the 29 code down. Oh cruel world!

Many runners took off clockwise on the lower contour and would have enjoyed the wind at their backs coming home past the lighthouse. Others, including correspondent Pork Pie, wanted to get the damp tee look happening early and took off via the cliff end at 26 and the stairs up via 7 and 28. Once height was gained here it was basically a down hill flog with a flat finish - much like a good coffee. Glenn 'The Moon' Horrocks always likes a full bag, and went clockwise after beginning 26-7-3. His run finished via 10,1,19,8,29 across the bridge to 30 and then the kids party and #20 for two minutes over and 580. Richard 'Yards' Green went one better, clearing the course in a sensational 43.41 minutes. Not sure of King Dick's route, but what a run.

Some rumblings of hidden controls, with the #11 bush and the two seats at #30 coming in for a few grumbles, but mostly the pale WHO yoghurt tubs fell easily to the scribbling 2B. And how good were some of the views from the high ground. 27, 15, 14, 6, 11 all rewarded if you had time to pause. And checkpoint #12, below the old tram line cutting, and no doubt included for all us train and tram buffs (thanks Janet).

So, we have a perfect 600 from Robin Hood, but how did the rest fair?

Steve Ryan led the OM's with another 580, having left off #7 and home plus one. The opens had a couple more fives, with Phil 'The Dill' Harding going the knuckle for 530, Mark 'Ing Time' Schaefer clearly not doing this for 510, and Neil Lefevre and 'Brother' Jeremy Fowler not needing the doctor with 500 apiece. Kar- Soon was limless with 510 in MM, twenty back from Graeme 'Tarzan' McLeod (530) and some excellent running from the older stallions. Try Michael 'The Milky Way' Burton returning to spoil the Vets party with 560, a tenner in front of Mal Bradley. Other fives of note were Dr Warwick with 510, Wendy (VW) with 540 and Gil Fowler (OW) the same. In the mares and fillies, only Sue Davis came close to this with a strong 490, and the silver plate, from Lisa Grant's 460 bronze.

Battle royals are becoming a feature of the junior classes this season - especially in JW where Michele and Rachael are rarely more than ten points apart, and have been competing like this for many weeks. Last night 'Sun Screen' got up but the 'Copter' will do the ton next week as the course setter. Come to think of it, Rach might win again, so nothing changes! Amazing scenes. The young guys looked to Adam Halmy for inspiration, but were found wanting. The 'Apple' put up 410, to pip Luke Petterson's 390 and a couple of well compiled 350's from Toby 'I'm a Star' Wilson and young Dunk 'In Doughnut' Currie.

Things are also interesting at the other end of the age bracket, with LW star Bryony Cox up at Killers leaving the way open for Sue Thomson (230) to claim. That's if Angela didn't rack up a bundle (Irish eyes was a late starter, so no info folks). In the men, Ron went to New Zealand and was late back for 280, one of his weakest results this summer. The Tedster also ran modestly for the same, so maybe it was Heiko or Mal. Malcolm put on 380, but I'm not sure what the Hitch Hiker did (apart from jet skiing back to Gosford to watch his beloved Mariners pull off a great draw with the Brissie boys). The results will tell all in this battle of the seniors card. Legend in more ways than one, Dave Lotty should have creamed this, but only carded a 330. He probably needed an early night after overdoing it on Monday.

The Super Vets always provide some spirited running, with Jai once again shading Dale (380/350) in the SVW's and James 'I Do' Lithgow just passing the age test in SVM with a nice snow free 480, and the silver behind Wazza (let's not mention his bloomin 510 again - aaaahhh!!). President Paul ran with the hand of god and made a tidy 460 to post the bronze. There were plenty on 380 (Terry 'The Blue Bag', Gordy, Dave Bowerman, Stuart 'Of Cycling' McWilliam amongst them), while Neil Hawthorne recovered from beginning without a pencil to card 420. Rod 'No' Parkin was handy with 320, Ian Miller ground out 270 and Steve 'The Retread' Dunlop flew for a very nice 410, and a bob's worth of chips.

Paula Shingler and Karin Hefftner were both in demand for post race interviews after scoring 440's, and keep the chocs well hidden from Lisa Lampe (330), Airdrie (320) and Barbara 'Ossa' Dawson - in the wars with 250. The 'Lace' Curtin looked the goods in the Masters with 460, well clear of Linda Sesta and Rachel Merton (380/320), and most of the open girls. Deb Noble (410), Alice 'The Crescent Wrench' Prudhoe (400) and the Poor Claire Nuns (Winnick and Murphy) with their 380's. Also good to see John Morris on the nibble in MM with 390, Mel Cox redfaced with 480 (VM) and Wiz in top gear for 430. But how about 82 year old Sean Rothery scoring 60 points to take the M80 crown. Super stuff Sean, take a bow!

Finally, how about the intriguing 'Rachel & Rachelle' scoring 100. Very neat girls. I also note the 'Family Phillips' with 150, also rather good stuff. Go the groups. In the walkers, Lloyd worked the hills early for 170. Porkie seems to have failed to note others - apologies to all.

So, thanks to the WHO gang for another beauty out east. A top roll up, better than expected I'm sure.

Next week, we are off to Mosman Bay for more SSS action. Expect great things from 'The Ukelele' and some top harbour view to boots. It will be a ripper.