What a mix of approaches to cover this week’s 5k. 6x ParkRuns (over a 4x different courses), 2x walks, 3x attempts when the weather should have stopped play and the Christmas Elf (left his shelf).

It was a week when the triathletes should have come to the fore, but there were some cyclist (an ex-triathletes, Rob Gale) who surprised. A fantastic 21.15 for Michael Sleeman and 22.49 for our very own elf Nigel Brown. As you read this, Mark Harvey may still be recovering from his effort on the trailway. Sarah Wheeler had a 78% age graded 23.21 (i.e. a mere 22% slower than the world record for her age group) was the best of the ParkRunners, although Nick Hall should be rightly proud of his sub-20 minute time and was the fastest ParkRun.

The first to record a time in the open category was again this week’s winner, Rich White with a very speedy 18.16. Innes Wright was a minute behind and then came Nick Hall. In the women’s category, Sarah Wheelers efforts were appropriately rewarded with first place, whilst the consistent Clare Coward was second and Angie Barlow used her dog walk to good effect to come in 3rd.

So bi movements in the overall positions. Clare maintains top spot in the women’s league, with Sarah and Angie swapping places. However, in the open category, Rich jumps 3 places to the lead, Innes moves up 5 to second where he joins last week’s leader James Little. Big bike week to follow, so cyclist supremacy likely to return.

The Festive 500 started on Christmas Eve for an 8-day challenge – notch off up to 5x 100kms self-powered by any means in the 8 days (so one where the cyclists will retake the advantage)

More detail can be found in GDW Winter Series. If you didn’t get the chance to enter a performance this week, it is not too late for the season. There are still 7 more events and lots of points available until mid-March. It will be interesting to see how the Wheelers’ fitness progresses over the series.

See the current up to date results here