Boxing Day dawned bright and clear but cold, which would be relevant information had the handicap started at dawn, but it didn’t so it isn’t. As it was, it was still very cold when the race did eventually start, so definitely a day for the fur-lined running shorts and tights, if you didn’t mind the itchiness that is.
The icy conditions resulted in a late course alteration, which was as much a surprise to the handicappers as it was to the runners, but it proved to be a wise decision (possibly a first for our good Chairman) given the icy patches on the path along the front of the 9-Hole Golf Course.
Despite some inevitable late withdrawals, thirty seven runners lined up for the start, including a number of very welcome guest runners, with Catherine Todd being the first to cross the starting line. Unusually Jordan Heron wasn’t the last runner to be given the off, though only because of the inordinate amount of time Paul Hutchinson spent warming up, which begs the question, ‘Just how cold was Paul before the start?’. Anyhoo, once all the runners were under way and round the corner at Droagh Cottage the handicappers and the waiting throng of spectators (in reality, more like a handful) didn’t have a clue what was happening so they retired to the Dixon Hall for some well-earned coffee, tea and shortbread, which in spite of Jackie’s dire warnings to the contrary, proved to be surprisingly tasty.
After their libations and nibbles the handicappers returned to their posts on the Coast Rd in time to witness Eddie Finn making his serene way towards the finishing line, and a comfortable victory, with nary a sinner in sight behind him to give him any cause for concern. Second home, making it a good day for the old boys, was Sean McAllister, with the top three being completed by guest runner, Gemma Davies. The next four places were also filled by women, so it turned out to be not a bad day for them either.
Full details of times and places for all the competitors are set out below, but it’s worth mentioning that Jordan Heron’s time of 30:18 was the fastest of the day, while Evie Stirling’s sixth place once again represents a fantastic achievement for such a young runner on such a tough course.
As always, thank you to Rhonda and Jackie for the refreshments; to Billy for reconnoitring the course prior to the race; to the marshals, who ensured that all the runners stayed safe and on the right track; to Diane for organising the prizes and to the handicappers and timers, without whose efforts it wouldn’t be possible to run the club handicaps. Finally, a big thank you to all the competitors who turned out for the race – club and guest, new faces and old. Race conditions were far ideal and the handicap was far from perfect (for which apologies) so to see thirty seven runners was encouraging from a club perspective and certainly ensured that the efforts of all the above were worthwhile.
Place Name H’cap Race
Time Corrected Time
1 Eddie Finn 09:30 55:21 45:51
2 Sean McAllister 22:10 56:27 34:17
3 Gemma Davies 17:30 56:43 39:13
4 Emma McKeen 14:30 56:52 42:22
5 Helen Kane 08:30 57:00 48:30
6 Evie Stirling 12:10 57:52 45:42
7 Helen Stirling 13:45 57:55 44:10
8 Mark Todd 18:45 58:00 39:15
9 Bernard Brady 24:30 58:04 33:34
10 Michelle Woods 06:30 58:13 51:43
11 Lee Stirling 15:30 58:26 42:56
12 Nigel Kane 19:20 58:28 39:08
13 Dale Smith 22:30 58:29 35:59
14 Rhonda Wallace 06:45 58:30 51:45
15 Graham Rennie 08:00 58:32 50:32
16 Laura Brennan 09:30 58:54 49:24
17 Beverley Gaston 16:00 59:05 43:05
18 Emmett Woods 19:30 59:11 39:41
19 Jordan Heron 29:00 59:18 30:18
20 Max Beattie 22:00 59:19 37:19
21 Diane Hawthorne 11:00 60:09 49:09
22 Karl Dines 21:00 60:22 39:22
23 Bryan Magee 19:45 60:23 40:38
24 Philip Rennix 22:45 60:45 38:00
25 John Steele 23:00 60:59 37:59
26 Catherine Todd 02:00 61:20 59:20
27 Marie Hagan 07:00 61:52 54:52
28 Ian Baillie 16:05 61:54 45:49
29 Ross Beattie 23:20 62:20 39:00
30 Andy Beattie 19:40 62:24 42:44
31 Kerri-Anne Craig 13:00 63:01 50:01
32 Michelle McIntosh 14:10 64:05 49:55
33 Paul Hutchinson * 30:44 64:30 33:46
34 David Johnston 18:30 64:57 46:27
=35 Ian Brennan 16:13 66:50 50:37
=35 Allan McCullough 18:00 66:50 48:50
37 Paul McRandal* 19:10 67:31 48:21
*Missed intended handicap starting time, but for which they would otherwise have finished higher up the field.
It is quite likely that some of the corrected times above may not square with the times recorded by some of the runners themselves. If your time above does happen to be faster than your own watch time accept it as a late Christmas present. On the other hand, if your watch showed a faster time than the official time above, you can blame it on the boogie.