2nd A&T Paarlauf - by Pete Chan

A much different night to the last event we help in December last year when it rained for the whole event. A very pleasant evening and 18 degrees for this one.

11 teams of three in total lined up at the start of this grueling event, and once again we witnessed some really close racing. The race for 1st and 2nd changed hands around 6 times during the course of the event with team 2 of Joanne, Steve and Robin just narrowly overcoming team 7 of Brenda, Alan and the resurgent Gary Stevens. It is really good to see Gary getting back to his best after a year that could so easily have ended his athletics, he has shown real strength of character to bounce back so fast. Both teams covered a staggering 31½ laps of the track, (that’s around 7.8 miles!! And an average pace just outside of 5 min/mile) In Third place was the hard charging team of Gary, Sue and Michelle just pipping the ultra consistent team of Marcus, Carole and Louise who moved through 4 places from their half way position…. As the teams around them slowed slightly.

There were a lot of fantastic performances on the night and it was amazing that everyone was out of puff after the first few laps but then settled down and ground out the whole 40 mins. Special mention must go to the club members who do not normally go down the track and still managed to complete the whole session to support their team mates …. This is what A&T is really all about…. And it is fantastic to hear everyone encouraging each other along the way.

I chuckled to Garry B after the event “ha ha I’ll have to do one of these one of these days” … “you’ll get your chance!! We are racing a Paarlauf against Swinton in a few weeks” ….. Gulp.

Runner of the night award must surely go to Brenda’s Grandson Joseph, I am not sure how old this fellow is (8 or 9??) but he managed to complete the whole thing and was even sprinting harder than anyone towards the end of the event…. I for one couldn’t believe my eyes. A real talent and one to watch… fantastic spirit.……… Get him signed up.

Anyhow a big WELL DONE to everyone who showed up and some last minute “thank you messages”

Gary Stevens for the Haribo ….. Possibly the most popular prize ever awarded at any event.

Malc … One minute he was sat on a barrier saying “it’ll be nice to sit this one out ho ho” … next minute he was pinning on a number to make up team 11.

Clare and Lyndsey …. For very kindly helping keep score …. It’s like Bingo on crack.

Some bloke from LHAC… for trying to spice the event up by adding a steeplechase barrier … last I looked he was dangling a hose into the water jump shouting “send ‘em this way”

Andy Coates… for my Whistle … I had been meaning to get one for a while, but this is a Turbo Ghia injection XL GT version …chrome with a string on it. Someone’s stuffed a bloody pea in it though Andy and I can’t get it out …. Grrrrr

Over and out ….

The ‘Cruelty mon’