Winter Handicap, 30th January 2023
It was a double celebration for Callum Whitehead who won both the handicap race and the Winter Cup.
Callum will have to hand over the cup next time though as the Spring Cup final will be contested between Dave Roberts, Isabel Neatrour, Kris Axon and Mariana Mouzinho.
The results can be found here.
The 2023 Winter handicap was held on surprisingly pleasant evening. The wind that had been forecast didn’t turn up and conditions were good for running.
35 runners took part this time, slightly down on the number who ran the same course in November. A small number of volunteers, experienced or otherwise, helped to ensure the race ran smoothly. Thanks to all our volunteers.
When the time came, first out of the block were Kenny McCormick and four guests, Sam Patterson, Alison Proudfoot, Andrea Hayden and Silvia Velastegui. They were accompanied by Kimberley Metson, acting as guide after her race at Druridge Bay the previous day. As these six ran upstream and into the dark, other runners assembled and waited for their signal to go. 20 minutes or so later Kris Axon, the fastest runner on the night, set off to chase everyone down. Kris also stood down all the marshalls at half-way.
The Winter cup should have been contested by Laurie Johnson, Jamie Harding, Jose Gallego Parilla and Callum Whitehead. But Jose was in Spain and Laurie was volunteering. So just Jamie and Callum donned their arm bands and raced.
Callum not only beat Jamie to win the Winter handicap, but he beat everyone else too, and was overall winner on the night. Congratulations Callum. Jamie finished a couple of minutes behind Callum in the handicap, while Susan Parker finished just 9 seconds back from Callum.
The first four finishers on the night were Callum Whitehead, Susan Parker, Anneliza Andreadi, Sarah Kerr. The four quickest runners were Kris Axon, Paul Robinson, Dave Nolan (guest) and Sarah Kerr. Well done in particular to Anneliza for finishing 3rd in her first race as a member of Claremont. Also making their debut in the handicap were new members Coralie Watson, Jenny Roberts and Lucy Keating.
After the run many of us made our way to the Carriage for food, drink and prize giving. Out of necessity Anna had identified yet another new location for the social. Or perhaps it was an old location since Anna remembers that Claremont socials were held there many moons ago.
We took over a room and enjoyed the excellent pizza again (delivered by the same company as in November). The beer was good too. On the evening the results were unfortunately less complete than is usually the case. Never the less it was clear who had won the prizes. Callum wasn’t there to pick up his rophies and packets of biscuits. The biscuits were handed down to the next on the list. The trophies should be there for next time.
Thanks to all the runners and volunteers who participated in a very enjoyable winters evening run.
