Dark, wet and windy but we still had 17 runners out to contest the last event in the 2024 handicap series. We had one newbie (Ken Holt of whom more anon) plus John Reed making his first appearance of the year. Most importantly Matt Grote and Ric Pike were also there completing their “12 out of 12” many congratulations to them.
Given the conditions only 5 athletes managed to meet or beat their handicap but we still had a pack of 8 contesting a thrilling blanket finish. Incidentally whilst red tail lights are very valuable safety features for urban environments they are also very pretty and it was a real treat to see the string of runners lights snaking off and chasing each other along Taplings Rd.
Our winner was Ken Holt with a fantastic (6’08) on debut and making the most of a relatively soft handicap to cruise past most of the field and take the win by some margin ahead of Benjamin Lowy (7’53) in second and finishing with his elbows out to keep his Dad, Stephen Lowy (7’49) back in third.
Fastest on the night overall was the aforementioned Ken Holt (6’08 and straight onto the all-time honours board at #15). John Reed (6’38), Harry Rosen (6’48) and Matt Grote (6’58) were our other sub-7 speedsters. Liz Marshall and Mikaela Price tied for the honour of being the fastest lady (8’06).
The overall standings remain under embargo pending the awards evening on 7th December, going into last nights event there were still three runners who had a realistic chance of getting their name onto the trophy…….
In the perseverance stakes it is a pleasure to report that both Matt Grote and Ric Pike were out there in the rain and making sure they completed their 12 out of 12.
New to this and wondering what it is all about? A monthly handicap race (on the first Thursday of the month) around an urban 1.14-mile loop in the Harestock area of Winchester. That means that the first race of the 2025 series will be on 2nd January 2025, the pursuit of the fabled 12 out of 12 starts then! More info here: Harestock Handicap