CHRISTMAS HANDICAP WEEK 5 UPDATE (07-13/12)

Kevin provides the latest update on the club's 5k handicap challenge which will run right through to Christmas

Week 5 and 27 of us still stickin’ in and getting out there despite some pretty grim weather this week!!
Some people have legitimate excuses for being missing – John Butters finished 3rd overall and 1st v40 at the Slayley Trail run today and Paul Banks was 3rd in the same category so I will let those two off and say congratulations!! John described the course as an ‘absolute mud bath’! I was hoping for a picture of him and Paul covered in s----e but it wasn’t to be!!
Special mention to Liam Roche who is back after having cold and he ran 17.55 this week but more significantly he was 3rd leg runner at the North East Cross Country Relay Championships for Morpeth’s u/15 lads B team and they finished 2nd.......behind Morpeth’s A team!
The course was at the Harrier League venue of Thornley Farm and was an approx 3km loop of pasture and ploughed fields. Let’s just say that parents were going to be putting their kid’s kit on a boil wash after this race!!

The winning team got Gold NECAA medals but for some reason Liam and his team mates missed out on Silver’s which seemed a bit tight!
I’m sure you will agree with me that Liam deserved it – so well done from all of us!!
A special mention to club stalwart Archie Jenkin’s and his team of officials and volunteers for getting this event on! There was an awful lot of stuff going on behind the scenes to make it happen but the effort was worth it because the kid’s (well most of them!) thoroughly enjoyed it!!
The senior championships are on Saturday 16th January so let’s hope it can go ahead.
Now, I mentioned ‘legitimate’ excuses for missing this week. What do you think of a runner who picks up TWO prizes last week for winning the handicap and best %age and then misses this week with a litany of the most wishy, washy, airy, fairy, set of excuses I’ve ever heard........you know who you are........!!
Two PB’s this week from Julie Vermaas (again) and Margaret MacDonald who was paced by Lindsey. Well done ladies – both ever present’s and both going very well!!
Sarah Routledge recorded her best time of the series and Laura Shaw, after acting as the hare for Eric’s group last Thursday night when the plan was to ‘screw’ up our handicap’s (mission accomplished Eric!), came back for a second 5k this week and took 26secs off her previous attempt! Again well done ladies!!
Rob Hancox gave up on sections of the Morpeth 10k route and went to the flatlands of Stobhill Grange to record an excellent 18.19, Peter Reed left Gracie the dog in the back of the car improved by 1.59 over last week, closely followed by Ed Kirby who had an excellent run improving by 1.52 – his dad Richard could only improve by 1.32 so rub it in Ed, while you can – but maybe check the results before you get too cocky!!
Great to have Jamie and Sue back in the fray and both quicker than two weeks ago and a run that caught our ‘handicapper eyes’ was Will Clark going sub 18.00.......still harbouring thoughts of Tokyo?! Well done Will!
I have to mention LEE the LOCAL LEGEND on LANCASTER PARK (the 4 L club) which was the text on Lee’s Strava readout following his 18.55 this week – he’s just messaged me to say the ‘previous’ legend has claimed the title back – as number cruncher Mike will confirm I haven’t got a clue about how Strava works being a complete (but quite happy luddite) but Lee you are a legend to all of us!!
Gavin, another excellent run around the County Hall Car park – that’s a first and quite a few laps – BUT it’s potentially a quick route!!
19 people improved on their previous times and 8 were down including ME and I could easily dip into the reservoir of wishy washyness but I wouldn’t get any sympathy off you lot anyway!!

​Results

Well having just had a look at these three things jump out;

1. We certainly did a job on poor Frances......sorry!
2. We certainly did a job on the Legend too.....sorry!
3. Poor Pieter Vermaas is NEVER going to hear the end of this!

Mike has chosen this week’s * runner – Ed Kirby - ever present and improved by over 2 minutes – well deserved Ed!
Prizes to first three in the handicap and top % age Gavin & Julie!
I mentioned last week about the possibility of organising a Christmas Handicap in a similar format to the usual event. Sorry, but it’s not going to happen for various reason’s concerning my own circumstances prior to and over Christmas. I’m also aware of the view that reducing contacts beforehand might mean less chance of spread and increased infection after Christmas – something that would benefit all of us.
I included you all in an e mail about NYD – if you are interested in running please get in touch asap so I have an idea of numbers and can continue planning a COVID secure event.
NEXT WEEK is going to be the final run in this series – so please send me your time by 5pm Sunday 20th – and Mike and I will sort out the results!
Thanks from both of us for your continued support,

Kevin & Mike