Summer Handicap, 27th July 2026

It is the time of year when the sun shines on the Town Moor and the cows step off the paths to watch a group of slightly mad people race up and over the hills … yes, it was the Claremont Road Runners’ summer handicap. 34 runners took on the course this year, with almost as many marshals and assorted volunteers to keep them right!

Aaron Mansell is proving to be an excellent handicapper and, once again, providing the platform for a close grouping and some exciting contests as the runners reached the closing stages, but, as is often the case, a handicap debutant took advantage of being a relatively unknown quantity to lead the pack home. So congratulations go to Martin Smith on a good run and a debut victory – it will be harder next time, Martin! Martin was followed home by Dave Nolan, who had made impressive progress through the pack, and Silvia Velastegui-Cortez who had held off almost all of the competition from the front.

In the Terry Welsh Cup, it was a close-fought battle between Tara Hipwood and Eddie Smith, with Tara just passing Eddie in the final few metres to claim the trophy. Mark Flynn was not far back in third place. Eddie and Mark will have another chance in the Autumn when they will once again be in the final. Their competitors next time will be Rose Hawkswood and Ryan Thompson.

Tara’s impressive run meant that she was fastest lady on the night, with Rose Hawkswood second and Maddie Axon third. There were some fast men too! Jack Shawcross, Dave Nolan and James Adair all clocked sub-20 minute times.

Afterwards we assembled in The Carriage for pizza, drinks, gossip and the prize giving. Alex and Aaron did the results in double-quick time, Anna had found us a new pizza supplier, and Michael Teasdale was awarded the “wild card” trophy for his feat in losing a shoe whilst squeezing through the gap in the fence. All in all, a very good night and thanks as ever to everybody involved in organising it.

Click here for the full results.