Update September 5
The 2024 Summer handicap series has run its final race with a bumper turnout, some incredible performances and wonderful volunteers who make the event happen.
First home was Angela Hands with a season’s best time followed in by Tony French, recently back to running and finishing his second race of this series.
In the series overall both tables are incredibly tight with tied scores and victories taken by countback.
Race 6 brought about no changes to the top of the men’s table; the Halford brothers Robert and Dave still occupying 1st and 3rd positions with Matt Hathrell separating the two, with 12 points between 1st and 3rd places. Noteworthy is that all three ran PB’s and scored bonus points in Race 6.
Quite a change at the top of the women’s table though, Angela’s winning position in Race 6 propelling her to the top of the table. Lara Kog won more bonus points for her Race 6 PB moving her up into second place. Sally-Anne Tully lost some ground in the final race and dropped back to third place in the final standings.
Congratulations to all our winners.
View the complete series results
Update 8 August
Once again a sizeable field, 76 members and guests, vied for points in the 5th race of the 2024 Summer Handicap series.
Anthony O’Shea was first home scoring the maximum 200 points for the men, followed in by Lara Kog and guest runner Mollie Williams.
After 5 races Sally-Anne Tully maintains her position at the top of the women’s table but her lead is now reduced to only 10 points, being closely chased by Claire Messenger and Lara Kog, both benefiting from bonus points in this race.
In the men’s table the Halford brothers Robert and Dave occupy 1st and 3rd positions with Matt Hathrell separating the two, with just 7 points between 1st and 3rd places.
Race 6 on 4 September could be the decider when the results of the best 5 races are counted.
Update 4 July
Lara Kog was again first home in the 4th handicap race on 3 July, gaining another 200 points moving her up to 6th place in the women’s table. However, Sally-Anne Tully is still comfortably ahead at the top of the table, benefiting from some earlier bonus points.
Austin Wade was second finisher and so won the maximum 200 points for the men. After 4 races Robert Halford has a 14 point lead at the top of the men’s table. Two more races to go and with the best 5 races to count there is still all to play for.
Update 14 June
A bumper field of 90 members and guests took part in the 3rd handicap race of the series on 12 June. Lara Kog substantially improved her standing in the table by coming first, followed by Timothy Devenport and Suky Dhindsa making her 3rd handicap appearance but her first as a point-scoring Northbrook member.
After three races Sally-Anne Tully has a 26 point lead at the top of the women’s table, helped by three consecutive bonus point additions.
Adrian McBride has a slimmer 9 point lead at the top of the men’s table.
Update 2 May
Making her Summer Handicap debut Sarah Rotheram was first home in Race 2 on 1 May, with Pete Duffy following in 2nd place.
After two races Anthony Grace and Sally-Anne Tully head the tables.
Update 4 April
The 2024 Summer Handicap Series kicked off on Wednesday 3 April with the first race in a series of 6 races, one each month from April to September.
A good field of 83 members and seven guests inaugurated the 2024 series, and the finish marshals had their work cut out keeping the finish funnel moving, the handicapper having done another brilliant job in getting most runners to reach the finish in a compact bunch.
Guest runner Amy Burrows was first home followed closely by Claire Messenger and Kirstie Murray.
The men were led home by Anthony Grace, Rob Cox and Rob Halford.
With the benefit of bonus points Sally-Anne Tully sits at the top of the women’s table. Anthony Grace occupies the lead at the top of the men’s table. He didn’t need his bonus points to get there but they may come in handy as the series progresses.
Established members will know what this is all about but for the more recently joined members here’s your chance to engage in some friendly rivalry on a levelled playing field.
Important: We will again be using the parkrun system for recording results. You MUST therefore bring your parkrun barcode with you. No barcode = no result.
If you don’t yet have a parkrun barcode sign up at https://www.parkrun.org.uk/
You also have to tell us that you want to take part – it’s no good just turning up on the night. You won’t have an allocated start time.
Fill in the form on the website to let us know that you want to be included. If you ran in the 2023 series the handicapper will use your times from last season to allocate you with a start time. Otherwise give us an estimated finishing time and explain the basis for that time. For example, it could be a recent parkrun or other 5k time.
Remember to bring your parkrun ID barcode with you.
(This can be the parkrun barcode on your phone)
Note these dates:
- Wednesday 3 April
- Wednesday 1 May
- Wednesday 12 June
- Wednesday 3 July
- Wednesday 7 August
- Wednesday 4 September
All races start at 7pm
You must be a paid up member to take part and score points, although we can accommodate a small number of guests. Guests must also sign up.
We will again be using the start/finish just off Coundon Wedge Drive as this is a safe location that avoids crossing a busy roundabout.
You can help those involved in organising the Summer Handicap by:
- Paying your subs now if you haven’t done so already
- Filling in the sign-up form
- Carrying your parkrun ID tag with you on all handicap races
You can find out all about it on the Summer Handicap page.