20 runners turned up for the second handicap run of the year with 3 new runners and a welcome return by Pete Lyus. Paul & Jo are running a mini-course for some members and made a welcome addition to the cheer-leading and recording. With so  many runners putting in the miles as they train for Grizzly and London it was anybody's guess who would finish first. The advantage of a 3 lap route is that you get a good idea after the first two laps who is eating up the opposition and who is being eaten. We could see that Richard was running like the Richard of old and that Graham was making inroads. Nick T was another one who was going really well and we knew there was a needle match in progress between Clare and partner Jay - Jay had come out on top at Killerton last Saturday and Clare was out for revenge. The hoped for turnout of club juniors failed to happen but Jake Harvey came along and put in another good run and came close to his PB. The finish was dramatic; Nick B-C came into view with about 150m to run but he was being closed down rapidly by Richard H who was on full throttle. It looked as though Richard would would do it but then Nick heard the spectators yelling  and realised all was not well. A glance behind to see the danger and then he shot away like a scalded cat and crossed the line just in front. Then Jay came in winning the domestic battle by finishing 11 seconds in front of Clare which is exactly the lead that he had at the start. All four of these recorded PB's. Sandwiched between Jay and Clare was Nick T who had an excellent run as did Sandra who was first away and held off all the other runners until the 3rd lap. Roger too had a good run very close to his PB and then came Judy who just held off Graham at the finish. But Graham who started last on handicap had a storming run, setting a new PB and smashing the 20 minuter barrier. Dan Brett was running his first handicap having established his time last month and should start to climb the finish order as he gets used to the course.Julie, Olivia (what no PB?), Bruce, Brent and Steve are all in training for Grizzly or marathon and put in their usual hard runs.

First across the line tonight was new runner Sascha Kranen who has just started to come along to the club having recently moved to Honiton - he and his partner took part in the Duathlon in November. He set off with Nick B-C and had to work hard to stay with him on the first lap but then pulled away. It was good to see Wendy and Jayne coming along to set a 5K time and it will be interesting to see how their running improves under the tutelage of Paul and Jo.

The 1st Handicap run of the New Year seemed to be a very damp squib as I stood by myself under the lampost at the start. Then Vanessa came jogging along doing a warm up and suddenly there was a great crowd of runners. I nearly wore my pencil to a stub writing down names. Actually 19 people signed up for the Handicap asylum including 4 new inmates - Sarah (Walker - the fitter, leaner, meaner runner), Jake Harvey (Richard's son and experienced Junior), Mark Andow a new member of a few weeks, and Dan Brett, another new member. Richard and Bruce acted as recorder,clothes horse and cheerleaders - but not in short skirts you will be pleased to hear.

I accidentally sent off George, Roger and Judy one minute early so it was not surprising to see them finish in the first three places. The true winner was Nick B-C who has been training hard for the Grizzly and seems to be getting even fitter but George ran a good PB on his second outing round the course overtaking Roger in the last few strides. It is good to see Vanessa back to her old form and she had a good run especially as she also ran in the morning. Clare set off 2 seconds behind partner Jay and he held her off for almost two laps before Clare's stamina took her away in the last mile, giving her a PB in the process. Graham put in a great performance with another PB under his belt and very likely more to come this year. Rod was doing his second handicap run and shaved 18 seconds off his PB. He joined the club before Christmas and has already done his first race in club colours. Another one to watch this year. Of the other runners and riders Olivia for once did not get a PB, Nick and Sandra had a good tussle with Sandra getting the best of the contest - does this reflect domestic life? Sam, yet another new member, is perhaps still not up to speed after Christmas and finally stalwarts Steve and Tracey put in their usual fine effort but made no headway on the rest of the bunch. An excellent start to this year's event.