Handicap Run - July (Cotleigh)

Having recruited Jennie and Jackie to do the timing I decided to dust off my handicap shoes and join in the fun. The great thing about this course is that all the climb comes in the first mile and none of it is really steep so I was looking forward to having a go. I  set off 46 secs after Handicap Queen Olivia, which was a tad depressing as I knew I had no chance of closing the gap. I did glimpse her in the distance from time to time and seemed to be gaining a bit but I was more concerned about the galloping hoard bearing down on me from behind. The first to come past was Nick BC who depressingly came by at just over half way. I hung on behind him and made a half-hearted attempt to go past, but that's just a red rag to Nick and he immediately moved out of cruise mode and sprinted away. So I resigned myself to at least 3rd place I set off down the hill where I could see that I was closing in on Gerry. As my downhill sprinting speed would bring me to the finish of a 100m after Usain Bolt had done his victory lap and was in the shower! it took longer than I hoped to overtake Gerry. Then there was the incentive of a few more victims ahead as I powered(?) down to the finish. However I soon heard the patter of galloping feet and Steve surged past on his way to 2nd place and a 5s PB followed a few moments later by Tim who had closed down the gap of over 3 minutes between us in a mere two-and-a-half miles! Next, running superbly in tandem, Graham and Richard came flying by. Graham had closed the 48s gap to Richard but Richard wasn't going to let him get away and they raced each other all the way to the line and both recorded PB's. As they disappeared into the distance I knew that Kevin, Bruce and Roger must be bearing down on me so there could be no let up on the run in and I managed to stay ahead to the finish. Hard work but I had a better run than expected and was close to my PB so very satisfied. 

Wendy, who I never saw, made it a hat-trick of wins and a hat-trick of PB's so a new Handicap Queen is usurping Olivia's throne. Sarah (Dean) having completed Paul & Jo's course did her qualifying run and will be one to watch next month.