Another lovely evening for this month's handicap saw 20 runners turn up to enjoy the fun. The trophy (actually Richard has lost it though he claims he knows exactly where it is) was awarded to Brent as he was first over the line, but regular readers will know that I sometimes manage to throw a spanner in the works. This month's spanner was Jay. Thinking he had decided there were higher things in life than wrenching your heart out for 3.1 sweaty miles, I had left him off the list. I started him on Clare's handicap time remembering their tussles from last year but when I adjusted things for his correct handicap it turns out he would have beaten Brent by 22 seconds. Pippa was another who made a welcome return and she brought along Rowan who started with Judy but overtook almost everyone to finish 3rd. Richard and Mark managed to get inside their PB's but most of us were content to get round without too much agony. Thanks to Roger, Suzanne and Clare for doing the recording.

It was a lovely sunny and very warm evening for the June Handicap last night. Ideal for the spectators but a tad warm for the runners who welcomed every bit of shade along the route.The battery on the club timer had died so the timing team of Roger, Jo Jo and Simon had to do things the old fashioned way with a stop watch, but all went off without a hitch. As for the run itself things got a a bit complicated with Judy having to get away early so starting with the first runner, and Richard having to be pushed down the start order; his handicap time was far too generous since he is now back to the Richard of old. Judy was easily first home but Ross with another big PB of 46 secs was the true winner making it two wins in a row. Kathy also had a good PB run, as did Richard. Steve and Katie both ran well and are second and third on the leader board at present (see below). There was a welcome return by Tony but he is not yet back to running hard for 3 miles and had to stop and stretch on the way round. Chris Entwhistle made his first appearance and romped through the field at close to 6 min/mile. Kevin was delayed by a combine harvester but was very pleased with his run. The corrected results below show that he would have finished fifth. Finally it was very good to see two of our Umbourne Ug juniors  Henry and Iain reminding us of our yester-years.. There was I running close to a heart attack and almost deafened by my heavy breathing, when these two loped gracefully past with no visible effort at all - oh to be young again!