Summer Handicap, Town Moor July 22nd 2013
By Dave Kear
On a lovely still, dry evening, the Town Moor handicappers raced over parched hills and warm tarmac paths to record good fast times.
Sumanth Nayak recorded a stylish, popular win, lifting the ‘Cup’ with a time over 2 minutes faster than his April handicap time. Jonathan Mains finished a clear 2nd with Roberto Marzo easing past David Reay near the finish to claim 3rd place.
The excellent race conditions were emphasised by the fact that there were 5 finishing times under 19 minutes (Matthew Kingston 18:15, Tom Oliphant 18:23, Paul Robinson 18:25, Rutger Zietsma 18:37 and Sumanth Nayak 18:57. This compares with the April event over the same course when Matthew’s fastest time of the evening was 19:16.
Megan Murdoch claimed the accolade of fastest lady with a superb time of 20:18; this made Megan the 2nd fastest lady over the Town Moor course in the 18 events held there so far. Heather Steel came next, in a very creditable 21:04. A closely fought battle for 3rd best lady finished with a dead heat between Nina Jensen and Kate Sergeant (both 21:20), just ahead of Catherine Young (21:23).
Super-consistent Lucy Eland proved unbudgeable in her grip on the ‘Shield’ for the best aggregate points score over the last 4 handicaps. With a total of only 36 points, Lucy has a striking lead over 2nd placed Kate Sergeant (61 points) and joint 3rd placed Matthew Kingston and Tom Tinsley (both 64 points).
Thanks once again to everyone who helped out. The officials on the start and finish lines provided another flawless display, and we had a very supportive full team of marshals out on the course.
Multi-tasking Lorna Pearson ensured that we were well provided for in terms of post-race refreshment at ‘The Junction’ as well as helping out in identifying all the starters and finishers; after all, if Lorna doesn’t recognise who he/she is, then no-one else would be able to help!
The next club handicap will be held towards the end of October down on the Quayside course, starting and finishing at the Copthorne Hotel. Look forward to seeing you all there.
Results and aggregate points table here.
