Autumn Handicap, 26th October 2026
After the double-pronged attack of Storms Austen and Boelo over the weekend (which saw cross-country cancelled), Monday night on the Quayside was… strangely calm and balmy, with temperatures in the mid-teens. The puddles were actually avoidable! So it was we found ourselves striding along the lamplit walkway, sweatier than we might have expected.
Nina Jensen powered through to take the victory, joined in receiving her flowers biscuits by Sarah Taylor in second, and Max Ratcliffe finishing in bronze medal position. It was another two-person affair in the Terry Welsh Cup, with Eddie Smith agonisingly finishing second in consecutive handicaps, the victory going to Rose Hawkswood. The winter edition in January will be contested by Tara Hipwood, Michael Teasdale, James Adair and Niamh Garratt.
PB’s have been tumbling for Harry Mawdsley in recent months, and although he crossed the line in a mid-table position, he was fastest on the night by 2 and a half minutes, and confirmed as a single second slower than Kris Axon’s time from 2021. Had he overhauled Kris, he would have cemented himself in the top 3 all-timers. Newcomer Luke Boyton surged through the field at speed, and can expect a suitably tougher handicap for his troubles next time out, with Mark Anderson rounding out the top 3 fastest on the night. To no-one’s surprise, the ladies speed crown went to Sarah Kerr, finishing in a time over 4 minutes faster than Nina, with Tara in 3rd.
Results processed and pizza consumed at The Carriage, co-ordinator Dave Roberts bestowed the Wildcard Cup upon Hazel Juggins, for her tireless help on the night. Thanks as ever to Anna for her organising of both venue and pizza. We’ll be back again in 3 weeks for the club AGM!
Full results can be found here.
