Summer Handicap, 26th July 2021
The sun came out to greet the return of the Claremont handicap to the Town Moor for the first time in 2 years. This made it a very pleasant evening for the vast team of marshals and officials, but I am sure that I am not the only runner who wished they could turn the temperature down a degree or two as I was climbing those hills!
With the handicapping being based largely on a year of virtual running, there was clearly potential for a few surprises, and Jamie Harding showed that he is a much better as a real runner than a virtual one as he romped home in first place. Jamie finished almost a minute ahead of guest Martin Jobling who just pipped third placed Alan Dunning – an all-male podium going some way to erase the memories of being constantly beaten by the lasses in the lockdown challenges!
As it was an actual race, this handicap signaled the restarting of the Knockout Cup competitions. The Summer Cup final was contested between Julie Cross, Roberto Marzo and Mungai Wairia, with Mungai leading them home to claim the cup. Roberto will get another shot at winning the trophy in the autumn – as only 2 of the 8 semi-finalists ran, the next final will be a shoot-out between him and Catherine Young.
The beautiful summer weather made for a very pleasant post-run social, buffet and presentation at the Urban Green cafe in Exhibition Park. I think the setting and excellent food was greatly appreciated by all, so thanks to Anna Round for organising this. Thanks as ever to all the marshals and the start and finish teams for doing their usual wonderful job, with special thanks to Hazel for sorting them all out!
