Club Handicap

Handicap 2011

RESULTS

The Seniors held their annual 6.5 mile handicap race on Wed 27th April, 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.

Once again conditions were excellent for running, with a cool temperature, blue sky and little breeze as race organiser Dave Kitching  set the first runner Alison Lowes away at 7:15 pm, from then on it was a steady procession of runners until Andrew Henderson set off some 25 minutes later.  Running strongly Alison managed to hold onto her lead for virtually the whole race until she was passed by eventual winner Julie Lemin in the last 100 metres, Alison did manage to hold onto 2nd place by 15 seconds from 3rd placed finisher Louise Rawlinson.  A clean sweep for the ladies, in fact the first 8 finishers were all ladies!

Fastest time on the night was recorded by Andrew Henderson with 37:07, and fastest lady was Julie Clark in a time of 43:32, which was also a new  F35 course record.

There was a total of 28 finishers, unfortunately somewhat down on last year (maybe due to people saving themselves for the next Grand Prix race the following Sunday), but disappointing considering the effort put in by Dave and his helpers on the night, which included Terry, Gloria, Sandra, Aynsley, Rob, Sam, Iain, Dave, Dickie and Stephen. 

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))