Handicap
Series 2012
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Individual
winners: 1 Boghall Jill Mykura 2 Eddleston Andy Spenceley 3 Red Moss Jonathan Hogg 4 Broughton Iain Gilmore 5 Carlops Cali Ingham 6 Arthurs Seat Bob Waterhouse Overall Championship: Gold Michael Wilkinson 136 Silver Iain Gilmore 133.4 Bronze Mary Lye 130.7 4th Willie Gibson 128 |
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18th April - Boghall | |
Cloudy with heavy showers possible | |
The first handicap of the season was won convincingly by Jill Mykura with Willie Gibson 2nd and Paul Ritchie 3rd, although he was stopping to open gates from me. 41 runners took part and there were over 30 at The Steading for the food afterwards. Andy Fallas ran the fastest time, with guest, Sarah O'Neill from HBT, fresh from finishing 2nd at the British Champs race at Coledale, storming round to be second fastest. Results Willie Gibson |
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16th May - Eddleston | |
Cloudy, cool | |
It looked unpromising but the leaden sky relented and by the end of the race it was quite a mellow evening. Last run 2 years ago; on that occasion there was a snowfall on the summit just as the race started so maybe the weather wasn't worse this time. A wide spread of runners mostly read the map correctly though Charlotte went haring off in the wrong direction on the descent, followed by one or two others. They would have benefited from a copy of Bill's meticulously compiled map that was almost 1:1 scale. Matt was fashionably late and Oz went... we know not where but he returned eventually. There should be a prize for the most exotic fall, which must be the forward roll and back onto the feet without a pause executed in the boggy bit of the lower field in the speediest part of the descent - though there would be stiff competition from Charlotte, who tripped herself up and went flying in the car park before the race, and Fraser who tripped over Gordon and went sprawling as he launched himself into the run. Another prize for the most inventive number - Patricia's 1026 - which was her handicap time and very easy to find and enter on the start list. First back and taking full advantage of his generous handicap after a bad run at Boghall, was Andy Spenceley - his first handicap win for 15 years (at Carlops in 1997) and only 3rd ever in the 24 years the handicap series has been held. Winning a handicap is obviously not a once in a blue moon phenomenon, it is much rarer than that - so take your chance when you can! Iain Gilmore finished soon after, with the fastest run being from John Hammond, just in front in Adam Ward, Steven Fallon and Andrew Gilmore. Results. More pics Digby |
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13th June - Red Moss | |
Sunny, midgey | |
Red Moss handicap, or
a good run straightened |
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11th July - Broughton | |
After a weeks of torrential rain a brief respite | |
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15th August - Carlops | |
Torrential rain stopped just in time | |
16th August 2012 Carlops handicap The streaming rain and scudding clouds presaged an unpleasant Carlops race, but fortunately it stopped in time for the start and it was the going underfoot that was the main handicap. From ground mangled by hooves into an ankle threatening sea of holes, deep bog grass and nettles, and treacherous bracken the course also challenged the navigation of those who hadn't run it before. 'Keeping Willy in sight' was a major goal for those whose maps were running too. Having said that the considerable number of runners that flew past me didn't seem to be having too much trouble. First home was Cali, who ignored Keith's aberrant route finding advice, and last, a somewhat out of form Bob. A blurry photo of the plucky pair can be found on the Carnethy Facebook page. Remarkably Jason did a faster time than Cali, even though a knee problem forced him to walk the entire route. Post race get together in the Allan Ramsay, which does a fine pint and is a proper cosy country pub. Food's good too. Results to follow. Digby |
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5th September - Arthur's Seat | |
Lovely sunny evening, slight breeze | |
5th September 2012 Arthur's Seat Handicap Brilliant night tonight with 50 runners out on the hill (only 47 actually competed) including 9 Speed of Light Run Leaders (RLs with Dirty Faces), Cat M, Fiona, Gordon C, Jo, Kristi, Lawrence and Roy plus permanent SOL reserve (sad) Michael W (and me of course but organising and officiating so sadly not running, sigh). First back and winner, Bob Waterhouse (Old Yorkshire Git, or is it Lancashire Git (no matter they're both really the same place)) was rewarded with ... the second clipboard (well he's already got a free bus pass) with which to record runners numbers whilst I recorded their times. On his arrival Willie G helpfully bawled finishing runners' numbers in my ear, so that the vacant space in my head could amplify the sound to Bob which required Willie to stand in front of the race clock from which I was recording the times. Lawrence Leask, given his initials, was presumably wondering why Tim (Superman) Doyle wasn't there to help him but depite this he was the first RL home whilst Fiona and Kristi were the final runners home (that is last). Good Kraik and Konviviality at the Kilderkin (an old English measure which doesn't measure up to the old pub) but with pints and pizzas to please. SOL reserve, Michael W was astonished to find he'd won the series outright but it was a well deserved win and of course a rewarding night for me as race organiser. Nick A few more photos here |
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