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Harestock Handicap

Harestock Handicap

Our own race, on the first Thursday of every month. Slower runners start first, so anyone in the club can win it — and often does.

How to join the club Training sessions

How the handicap works

The Harestock Handicap is the club's own race, run on the first Thursday of the month from the Stoney Lane bus stop, starting at 7:30pm. It's just 1.8km so accessible for all and many participants incorporate it into a longer session.

The handicapper will give every participant a start time calculated from their previous performances (or a mystical guess: the slowest away first, the fastest last. If everyone runs to form they should all arrive at the finish together, so the winner is whoever most improves on their own handicap rather than whoever is quickest.

It makes for a genuinely close finish, and it means everyone has exactly the same chance.

Taking part

Just turn up. There is no entry fee and no advance sign-up — come along on the night and we will work out your handicap. If it is your first one, arrive a few minutes early so we can get you a start time.

Bring a head torch and something reflective between October and March; it is dark by 7:30pm for a good half of the year. Park in St Matthews Road or Vernham Road rather than on Stoney Lane itself.

Results count towards an annual leaderboard, with the winner presented at the club awards dinner. Running all twelve rounds in a year is its own quiet achievement — in 2025 Pete Sansome managed it, and so did his son Jack.

The event is run on public roads and all participants should be conscious of potential hazards and be respectful of other road users. The event is open to club members over 12, but younger athletes should expect to run with their parents or a run leader.