Club Handicap

Handicap 2010

RESULTS

The Seniors held their annual 6.5 mile handicap race on Wed 5th May, the route starts at the Beach Car Park, heads onto the promenade, then along the beach path, up Collywell Bay road, past the Delaval Arms pub, along the cliff tops to return to Collywell Bay road and then along the footpath next to the road back to Blyth.

For once conditions were good, with a cool temperature and very little wind as race organiser Dave Kitching and club chairman Kevin Freeman set Andrea Scott away at 7:15 pm, from then on it was a steady procession of runners until Paul Whalley set off some 29 minutes later.  Running strongly Andrea managed to hold onto her lead for the whole race and was never challenged or passed by any of the runners and came home a convincing winner. In second place was Davina Lonsdale, who herself was well clear of third place finisher Dave Bradley.

Fastest time on the night was recorded by Robbie Barkley with 37:07, and fastest lady was Susanne Hunter in a time of 45:36. Congratulations also to Adam Robinson and Terry McCabe who both knocked 30secs off the O40 and O60 course records respectively.

There was a total of 39 finishers, the most since 2001, and it was also good to see more new members taking part. Thanks to Dave, Keith, Sandra, Dickie, Gloria, Eddie, Stephen, Liz, Steve, Graeme, Emma and Kevin for helping out on the course. 

Handicap History

Organised by Ron Hope from 1988 up until 1999, Andy Brown from 2000 to 2002, and from 2003 Dave Kitching, the Club Handicap is now 6.5 miles long.  The course starts at the Links car park, South Beach, Blyth, follows the Dunes path to Seaton Sluice, goes up Collywell Bay Road, past the Delaval Arms pub and then back to the starting point by way of the cliff tops, Collywell Bay road again and finally the Links road.  Prior to 1993 the race was held on a Wednesday evening over 10.7 miles or so, and on a route around the Keel Row, Seaton Delaval Hall, etc., but the route was changed in 1993 partly due to traffic considerations. From 1993 to 2002 the route was virtually the same as the current course except that from the Delaval Arms the route went via Feather’s caravan site, and past St. Mary’s Island before returning by way of the cliff tops, making a total of 8 miles.

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2001 – Ryan Robinson was first runner home, but was ineligible for the Senior prize

2004 – Course was changed due to road works, still 6.5 mile but not valid for record purposes

Race records ( 8 mile course (1993-2002))

*Now Cath Young    **Now Anne Potts

Race records ( 6.5 mile course (2003-present))