The last daylight Harestock Handicap of 2026 produced a bumper edition with 21 competitors navigating the course. The benign conditions may have assisted in the 5 sub 7 minute times and newbie Sam Curry posting a sub 6 minute time (5:53!), but still not quite marking his debut with a victory. We welcomed 5 newcomers to Harestock providing a challenge for the handicap scorer. Despite this 11 competitors were within 10 seconds of the sweet spot of their predicted time.
Having said that the top three finishers were debutantes, Benjamin Cartledge leading the pack with Will Cartledge close behind and Sam Curry completing the trio. Notable mentions should go to Karen Hazlitt as her improving time gained her fourth, while another newcomer, Natalie Martinez, strode in fifth and even Helen Jones, a regular at the club but strangely new to Harestock was only 5 seconds off her predicted time.
Updated section covering the faster times, overall standings and the 12 out of 12.
6 runners managed to post "sub-7" times with Sam Curry fastest in 5'53 (new PB #8 on the honours board), Pete Sansome 6'13 (stays #5), Will Cartledge 6'14 (new PB #26), Jack Sansome 6'28 (new PB #54), Benjamin Cartledge 6'52 (new PB #98) and Rudolfo Rodriquez 7'00 (stays #103).
3 ladies posted sub-8's with Liz Marshall fastest in 7'33 (stays #23), Helen Jones 7'34 (new PB #28) and Sarah Witt 7'56 (stays #26).
The scoring mechanics generally enable anyone to put together a winning score so with 3 races to go the overall competition for the HH trophy is very much alive. With 9 races completed Jack Sansome leads ahead of a chasing pack that includes Sophie Black, Sarah Witt, Louise Snook and James Bailey.
Maybe it's the much coveted medals on offer but so far this year has been remarkable year in that no fewer that 7 athletes are still in with a chance of achieving the fabled 12 out of 12....unbelievable Jeff!
The next Handicap will be the 1 October and the event will be taking place in Winchester dusk, so don't forget to wear lighting, we love radiant runners.
Your Ersatz Handicapper,
hopefully normal service will be resumed next time when out HH in chief will be returning from his birding sojourn.