Whether folks were inspired by the fast conditions or the realisation this was their last chance to be part of the 2025 handicap series we had three very welcome event newbies (Sarah Sansome, Mike Williamson and Seb Olingschlaeger) join us for the December handicap. With Lou Snook returning from injury we had a fine turnout of 20 runners. Luckily the rain had passed over so although the course was clear the going was soft in places and some anticipation of times being a little off.
So it proved with only 6 runners meeting or beating their handicap whilst our winner, by a country mile, was Lou Snook. Lou has been missing the past few months whilst patiently following her re-hab plan and building back up to fitness. We can safely say that she is back! Lou was our low handicapper so first away and never seen again till she was waiting there for us at the finish. Congratulations Lou there’s not many get to enjoy such a spectacular gun to tape victory. SteveO was best of the rest just ahead of Mikaela Price and the rest of the blanket finish.
It was a bit of a special night for the handicapper as Lou Snook was our 12th different winner of the year. The handicapper’s dream 12 out of 12 finally achieved after 14 years of this event, happy days indeed.
Fastest on the night was the aforementioned Seb Olingschlaeger (6’19 and onto the board at #33) with Pete Sansome (6’20) and Christian Brookes (6’51) our other sub 7 speedsters. Amongst the ladies our fastest on the night was Liz Marshall (7’53) with Mikaela Price also sub-8 with a fine (7’57) on only her 2nd appearance of the year.
The overall series for 2025 ?
We’re now done. 12 events completed and amazingly 5 runners have successfully completed the runners 12 out of 12. In 14 years of this event we’ve never had as many as 5 in a single year (we’ve managed 4 twice before though). Fantastic stuff, medals will be awarded at the Christmas party.
The overall series has of course also been completed and the results submitted to Lausanne for scrutineering. The overall result will be announced at the Christmas Party so be there if you want to be among the first to know who has won the Harestock Handicap Trophy for 2025.
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. Exceptionally the the first race in the 2026 series (our 15th year) will be on the second Thursday of January, the 8th January. Perhaps the most important thing about the first race in the series is that if you don’t take part in it you have no chance of completing the 12 out of 12 for 2026.
It’s a bit of fun and all are welcome to come along and give it a go, you know you want to.
There is more info here: Harestock Handicap