August Handicap Run Report

14 members decided on a steady 5K town run tonight instead of risking a downpour on a 5 mile slog along remote muddy East Devon footpaths. Roger came along to  make sure the weather behaved according to his forecast; I’m sure I heard him muttering a spell “Rain, rain go away, come again on Bank Holiday”. Actually Roger thought he was going to time-keep so had done a brisk 4 miler before arriving, otherwise he might well have won. As it was Tracey completely surprised herself by romping home first, almost a minute in front of Graham, who as you can see scored an impressive PB. Actually there was a steward’s enquiry into Tracey’s run. Does it count if you are dragged round the course by two speedy terriers – see photo below. Greg thought that if dogs were allowed why not horses! Nick did well to hold off the charging runners behind him and Bruce who was last away managed to overtake most of the field and get within 4 seconds of his PB. It looked as though he would pull right away from Steve, but Steve hung on and made Bruce work to stay in front. Judy and Greg crossed the line together – Judy just would not let him win but she did drag Greg to a PB by 5 secs.  Julie had a good 10K PB the other day and won June’s race but slipped down the finish order tonight. It was good to see Clare back running again and she knocked 11 seconds off her May qualifying run. It was also good to have Vanessa back running again after her enforced layoff. After 6 successive PB’s it was reassuring to see Olivia rejoin the ranks of the mere mortals, at the rate she was going she was on course to beat Kevin in 2015. Mention should be made of Brent and Tom who both overtook Olivia within yards of the finish – there are just no gentlemen around these days.

Thanks to Fiona and Fran (Box) for giving their help and cheering everyone on and to Clare’s partner (Whoops forgot his name again – sorry Clare) who we tried to persuade to come along and run next time. Having seen various bodies collapsed on the grass or gasping against a fence, he didn’t seem too keen.