Summer Handicap, 29th July 2019

It was a warm, humid evening on the Town Moor for this year’s Summer Handicap.  From a lower than usual turnout of 30 runners, Arthur Liu led the pack home to claim the title.   John Bell finished second with handicap debutant Maria Duenas in 3rd place.  Arthur had fooled the handicapper by coming last in the Spring handicap – though I don’t think this was a deliberate strategy as he was recovering from injury at the time!

Only two of the four Summer Cup finalists made it to the start line and the cup was won by Jamie Harding ahead of Julija Simpson.  Congratulations to both Jamie and Arthur.

The Autumn Cup final will be contested by 4 new combatants – Kenny McCormick, the sole representative of the Claremont men, will take on three ladies in the shape of Clare McKitterick, Sarah Kerr and Hazel Juggins.

Fastest on the night was Jason Hall in an impressive 17:55 ahead of guest Kris Axon in 18:47.  Roberto Marzo (19:16) and Tom Tinsley (20:01) were 2nd and 3rd fastest Sky Blues respectively.

For the ladies, Sarah Kerr was fastest in 20:19, followed by Maddie Day (22:13) and Maria Duenas (22:21).

Afterwards, it was a first trip to Don Vito’s for the post-run social, buffet and presentations, and I think everybody enjoyed the food.  As well as the usual handicap trophies and biscuits, medals were presented to the 4 intrepid souls who completed every leg of the Claremont River Tyne Odyssey – Nina Jensen, Jamie Harding, Mungai Wairia and Julie Dumpleton, and to organiser Janet Palmer.

Thanks very much, as ever, to all the marshals, the start and finish team and the photographers – Howard for some great photos of the runners and Mungai for the usual selfies in Don Vito’s.

Full results (.xlsx) are here.