Well, what a wonderful finish to the latest series.

Congratulations to Ron Stewart who won the race and the NSP Fairbairn Cup and to Katherine Davis who finished 6th and won the NSP Formica Cup.

The ladies showed the way home in the overall leader competition with Claire Bruce on140 points winning from Vicky Gilroy 143 and Ralph Dickinson 145.

The team race went to GTS (Richard Baker) with 120 points followed by G2M (Ralph Dickinson) and WW (Ian Woodward) each with 113 points.

I have researched the course records and yesterday Ivan Hollingsworth became the new record holder with a time of 26.07. The course was first used in 1995 when in spite of horrendous gale force winds (at least 367 mph against all the way back) Phil Lancaster set the record of 30.31 (Well I would still have been 9th fastest last night!!) This record was shattered in 1996 by Dave McKenzie in a time of 28.43 and the following year Andy Brown set the existing record of 27.20.Following the previous record breakers Ivan decided that in spite of starting 2 minutes behind the runner in front he would also shatter the previous record. Incidentally 2nd fastest last night in 29.05 was Tommy Brannon who still holds the record for the short course.

The buffet after the race was excellent and Alan was able to present the Individual and Team awards which as usual were vouchers for pictures from JUVAN ARTS.

After the official awards START FITNESS provided two bags of goodies that were supplied as prizes for loyal runners. I excluded anyone who had gained a Juvan Arts award and based the awards on (a) Those who had competed in GP's 1 to 7, (b) Those who had run 6 of the first seven GP's and were slowest and/or fastest, (c) Those who had run the most of the first seven GP's and (d) Attendance at the awards ceremony.

The purpose of the last paragraph is naturally to thank START FITNESS and Jonathon Riall who presented the awards and to clarify that the NSP GP series is all about participating. People who are superstars - like wot is xcelency once was - can get their prizes week in and week out at local and national races. I for one was delighted with the way that the computer drew up the names of the winners and even better was to see the absolute delight on the faces of the recipients.

Let's hope that 'is eminence organises the GP again next season - and please remember that both 'im and this peasant can only accept so much criticism. If you do not like the 'andycapper rest assured you are not alone! If you do like im you have BIG BIG problems 'cos you are alone in the world.

See some of you some time,

Phil