The Handicap Run is a great spectator sport and John, Warren Tracey and Bruce had good value for their ringside seats last night. How would the Clare-Jay battle work out? Clare with her marathon training and Jay obviously getting fitter. What about the other marathon runners, Brent, Vanessa, Nick B-C and Olivia? They are all training hard and seeing the benefit. Then there were Wendy and Pete who are also improving. I decided to put my money on Pete but he assured me I would lose it so transferred the bet to Vanessa. Wendy led them off and had a terrific run, she held the lead going into the last lap and was looking strong. Behind her the battle was well and truly on. Pete and Vanessa neck and neck, Jay putting distance between himself and Clare, Sascha running hard and leaving Steve seemingly adrift. Nick B-C was running like a man possessed and Nick T had a determined glint in his eye. As they all set off on the last lap we waited impatiently to see who would come round the corner in the lead. It was marathon-man Brent who had picked off all 11 runners who started ahead of him who gained his second win, but not far behind him Clare was sprinting as she has never sprinted before, with Nick T hard on her heels. Naturally the spectators were all on Clare's side and she just made it to second place. We hardly had time to draw breath before 6 more runners crossed the line led in by Steve who must have had a great last lap and overtaken at least 6 runners in the last 300m. Then Vanessa just squeezed home ahead of Sascha; Wendy stormed in ahead of Pete but was just overtaken at the line by Nick B-C. Next home was Jay who had a great run but Clare's marathon training made the difference this time, or was it the large slices of cake and second-helpings of pudding she has been feeding him. Olivia, Roger, Brett (times now corrected) and Judy completed the field. They all ran hard but the beauty of the handicap system means the normal order is upset.
It was good to welcome back Jo Jo, who was pleased to get round intact having had a long lay-off because of injury and good also to welcome Robyn who did her first handicap run.
What about PB's?
(Revised since I first posted this as Clare pointed out an error) Here is the list in order of PB improvement (red) or close to PB (blue). So congratulations to all of these especially to the top 4 who smashed their previous bests. However Vanessa Brent, Olivia and Nick B-C should have special mention because they are all veterans of the handicap and a PB run gets progressively more difficult - marathon training is good for you!
Sascha 00:56 Wendy 00:50 Pete 00:47 Clare 00:41 Vanessa 00:15 Brent 00:15 Olivia 00:02 Nick (B-C) 00:00 Jay 00:03 Steve 00:04 Roger 00:13 Nick(T) 00:17
I have based the PB from the March run onwards as the best run in the last two years (2011-2012) rather taking a figure from year's ago, since regular runners are bound to slow a little year on year.
It was good to welcome back Jo Jo, who was pleased to get round intact having had a long lay-off because of injury and good also to welcome Robyn who did her first handicap run.
What about PB's?
(Revised since I first posted this as Clare pointed out an error) Here is the list in order of PB improvement (red) or close to PB (blue). So congratulations to all of these especially to the top 4 who smashed their previous bests. However Vanessa Brent, Olivia and Nick B-C should have special mention because they are all veterans of the handicap and a PB run gets progressively more difficult - marathon training is good for you!
Sascha 00:56 Wendy 00:50 Pete 00:47 Clare 00:41 Vanessa 00:15 Brent 00:15 Olivia 00:02 Nick (B-C) 00:00 Jay 00:03 Steve 00:04 Roger 00:13 Nick(T) 00:17
I have based the PB from the March run onwards as the best run in the last two years (2011-2012) rather taking a figure from year's ago, since regular runners are bound to slow a little year on year.
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