Christmas Handicap Sunday 22 December 2024

A slightly delayed Christmas Handicap Race Report from Craig. Happy reading!

The handicap was held at Highbury Park on what was a cold morning with a biting wind.  Luckily, it stayed dry and mainly sunny.

Because of work ongoing in the park, Barry, Andy L and I devised a new course which over 4 laps measured out at about 3 miles (5k).  With quite a lot of rain recently, it is fair to say that in places the course was pretty wet and heavy going.  Spikes or studs were required.

The warm up lap meant I had the chance to explain the route.  Once the race started I could see that a fair few hadn’t listened because after the first turn many chose a slightly shorter route.  Barry later commented on this.  Was he trying to move himself up in the results?  Well, it didn’t work.

Spoiler alert - there weren’t enough Andys to have an Andy championship.  Charles is also a popular name.

It was a great turnout this year with 22 runners.  The turnout was helped a lot by the Manzotti family turning out in force.  Well done to them.

I didn’t think that I’d ever have to say this, but James ran hard from the off, and was not only the first finisher in the handicap but also recorded the fastest time.  Well done James.

Liz also did the double, winning both the handicap and being the fastest lady.  Well done Liz.

As I didn’t run this year I was able to observe the race and I was quietly impressed with the effort all put in.  Okay, I was tempted to shout at Roman.  

Andy M wins the prize for making us laugh.  He’d only gone about 30 yards when he dived into the mud.  He also told me later that his shoe had come off in a muddy part of the course.  But he kept going!

Who won the Manzotti family championship?  It was Tom.  

For the second year running we had a genuine sprint finish.  Neither Emma nor Daisy gave ground on the run in to the finish and I couldn’t split them.   

A special mention to Keith who has had a good few injury problems lately.  As I knew he would, he kept going in what were tough conditions.

Race places

1^st James 27:01

2^nd Tom 27:19

3^rd Barry 27:39

4^th Nick 28:45

5^th Patrick 29:05

6^th Andy L 29:13

7^th Graham 29:20

8^th Paul 29:30

9^th Liz 29:40

10^th Pauline 29:44

11^th Meg 30:13

12^th Roman 30:20

13^th Manisha 30:22

14^th Charles R 30:23

15^th Daisy 30:41

15^th Emma 30:41

17^th Claire 31:07

18^th Charles F 31:20

19^th Andy M 32:35

20^th Mark 32:41

21^st Rob 32:51

22^nd Keith 36:36

Actual running times

1^st James 23:31

2^nd Nick 23:45

3^rd Barry 24:09

4^th Tom 24:19

5^th Patrick 26:35

6^th Andy L 27:13

7^th Roman 27:20

8^th Charles R 27:23

9^th Paul 27:30

10^th Graham 27:50

11^th Liz 28:10

12^TH Meg 28:13

13^th Pauline 28:44

14^th Emma 29:11

15^th Manisha 29:52

16^th Daisy 30:11

16^th Mark 30:11

18^th Andy M 30:35

19^th Claire 30:37

20^th Charles F 30:50

21^st Rob 31:51

22^nd Keith 36:36

There were several people who came to support.  A special mention to Clare and Fiona (wife and daughter of Charles R).  They supported me at the start and Clare had the thrill (and power) of blowing the whistle to start each runner off.  Hilary, Krissie and Stuart were also there to support.  I know it was appreciated.  Hilary was redundant this year with no road crossing to police.    

Liz, the superstar provided goodies that included mince pies with cream and Christmas cake.  Liz’s goodies are a great advertisement for attending Saturday training.  Mark also provided some fine biscuits.

Another enjoyable Christmas handicap.

Craig