Winter Handicap Series The Grand Finale Race 4 February 2017.

Lancaster Park 8th February 2017

First a BIG thanks to Dave Taylor the pace bike man who pedalled up from home
with his front brake stuck on – and it stayed stuck on !!
Bit of a slog up to Lancaster Park !

Dave and his bike have been a big help to the slower runners over the 4 races
and he is certainly ‘vocal’ in keeping people pushing along !

Also thanks to Paul Waterston, Tony Ward, Gordon Dixon, Linda Bray & Pam Woodcock for their help
in recording and timekeeping duties – we all have a much better idea of what the ‘officials’ experience
at events week in and week out and as we found out last night wet weather poses an additional challenge !

Finally, thanks to Mike Steven whose computer skills have been invaluable in producing
speedy and accurate results – they would be done even quicker if we could solve the problem
of his specs constantly steaming up when he gets back in the van to sort the laptop out !

In total 48 of you have supported the 4 races which has been brilliant from
my point of view – you need numbers to make handicap races work !

Five people, Cinty Wake, Carol Parry, Mike Steven (thank goodness),
Andrew Richardson & Gavin Bayne have been ever presents so well done to them !

We also had 6 debutants last night, Lesley Chapman, Tony Lewis, Hamish Mac, Tim Miley,
Paul Bellingham and Gordon Dixon – hope you all enjoyed it and there were some really good runs from you !

The race, well though I say it myself the handicapping wasn’t too bad
because all 25 were back within 2mins 29secs !

Neil McAnaney told me that when he reached the dip on lap 2 there was a stream of runners ahead of him
to chase down – unfortunately for Neil he was in the sights of Tony Lewis,
Daniel Dixon and Matthew Briggs and getting chased down himself !

1st Tony Lewis 15.37,
2nd Daniel Dixon 14.32,
3rd Matthew Briggs 15.52
& unusually the first three finishers were also the fastest three on the night.

Daniel’s time is the quickest of the series so congratulations to him – the course record holder at 14 years of age !

The fastest lady was Lindsay Turnbull in 19.41, followed by Jane Kirby 20.03, and Cinty Wake in 21.13.

Best %age effort Daniel, a brilliant 85.53% followed by Tim Miley, a ‘holy grail’ run of 80.82%
and Neil McAnaney in 77.14% - a really strong run with a VERY impressive finish !

Special mention to Mrs. Kirby who was ‘mildly chuffed’ to have ‘thrashed’ Mr.Kirby !
(Next year I might have to consider some ‘me & wor lass’ prizes - apologies to the Blaydon Race !).

Anyway, thats for the future – hope everyone enjoyed the food and drink and thanks
for your contributions !
​Great that Pam could make it and that her arm is on the mend !

Winter Handicap Race 4 Results