h/c

Results for the Grandborough h/c (1 of 6), 26-Mar-2017

Thanks to Jackie Stuart for the following report, and to Fi for the photos:

Race 1 of the handicap series began with a beautiful spring/summer day (the clocks had gone forward). I arrived at where I thought the start was and waited for Chris and Wayne, who were putting out the signs. We set about giving out numbers and taking estimated times, In total 29 people turned up, which included 4 guests. We were also grateful for everybody who turned up to marshal – we can’t do it on our own, so remember, if you’re unable to run please consider helping.

First over the line was one of our newer members, Andrew White followed by ex-member Caroline O’Brien and then Barry Adams. Fasted time of the day was Pawel Langer in a time of 31:28 and Barry was closest to his estimated time.

Thanks to everyone who turned up; see you on 4th May, at Brinklow.

One of our guest, Sir David Phillips of Massey’s, was invited by Mitch and filed the following report on the Massey website:

Bit of a blank w/e as far as races were concerned but Sphinx’s Mitch Timms mentioned their event and welcomed me over but on one condition. That I did not wear my Red and White but my Pembrokeshire Harriers colours which, like Sphinx’s colours, are blue and yellow.

So a real no brainer then so Pembs it was so I joined approx. 35 Sphinx colleagues for their run.

It was a staggered start and as I was an outsider I jogged off 1st with a new lady member whose only ever race was a 3 miler and 3 miles was the furthest she had ever run. So I vowed to drag/push her round. So off we started 1st.

The course was a cracker in beautiful countryside and on very narrow lanes with cyclists, tractors and the occasional car for company. Plus of course sheep and lambs shouting us on.

At about 3 miles the leaders of the pack caught us up and then at 4.5 miles we switched to a field footpath up to the finish area. This terrain was unheard of to my lady companion runner and it was also uphill but with my persuasive ways we made it to the top and the finish.

So well done Sphinx and thanks.

Then afterwards at the Shoulder of Mutton pub in Grandborough for the results and a chat.

Sphinx’s 6 summer handicaps are at different country pub locations location within half an hour drive from Coventry (Monks Kirby. Corley, Brinklow, Birdingbury and today). Kenilworth do their summer handicap similarly and all at different locations. Plus there is always a pub afterwards for the results and sandwiches. With our problems of numbers and locations maybe we should follow a similar procedure and vary the venues. Committee??

Massey/Pembroke Harriers time:

Dave Philips + new lady friend 61 mins.

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Results for The Greenway hc, 25-Sep-2016

Many thanks to Jackie and Chrissy for their excellent organisation of this year’s club handicap series.

Jackie has sent the following Greenway report:

The final race of the handicap series took place on Sunday 25th September on the Greenway. The summer has flown by and the final race seemed to come far to quickly. Overall the series has gone well with only a few minor hiccups with the results on some of the races; easily sorted on the days following the races.

Many thanks to Wayne and Chris for sorting out the courses and to everyone who marshalled or helped at the events.

For the final race there were 27 runners, which included two juniors (Annie making her debut) and two guests – good to see Barry Adams making a return.

Roll on next year!

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Results for the Corley hc, 11-Aug-2016

Jackie and Chris have provided the following report:

Another fine night with 41 runners, which included 1 junior and 5 guests.

First over the line was Dean Warner, one of our guests, followed 2 minutes later by Bobby Hartwell, a newer member. Fastest run of the day was by Allen El-Sour. Phil Wilson and Rachael Allen were closest to their estimated times.

The last of the summer handicaps is on 25th September at the Greenway, but don’t forget there is the chance to win the half-marathon handicap trophy by running the Kenilworth half on September 4th.

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Results for the Northbrook h/c, 06-Jul-2016

5 Sphinx runners ran as guests in the 4th race in Northbrook’s summer handicap series.

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Results for the Birdingbury hc, 14-Jul-2016

Jackie and Chris have provided the following report for the approximately 5.15 mile club handicap race around Frankton and Birdingbury:

Well, the organisation of the Birdingbury handicap seemed to go far too smoothly. We must have forgotten to do something!

Chris and Wayne managed to put the course signs out in record time and I was ready with the numbers and clipboards well before the first runners arrived.

This time we swapped roles; I handed out numbers and Chris was in charge of estimated times and starting everyone off. This meant I had plenty of time to input data into my spreadsheet.

There were 33 runners, which included two guests- Pawel and Suresh, but no juniors again this time. Running as a guest, Suresh started first and crossed the line first. Sadly, he couldn’t be awarded the trophy. This went to the first member over the line, Mark Moran. And look out for Lisa, she is flying at the moment, getting her 3rd pb and closest to estimated time – again.

With no hiccups inputting the results, Chris and I were able to get to the Friendly Inn much earlier than before, just as they brought out the food. Happy days!

The next race is at Corley on the 11th August. Remember to park in the overflow carpark at the Bull and Butcher, not on the triangle at the front.

See you there.

Jackie and Chris

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Results for the Monks Kirby hc, 16-Jun-2016

We have the following report from Jackie and Chris, and photos from Dave Timothy:

A total of 40 runners took part in the Monks Kirby Handicap on Thursday 16th June, which included 3 guests. Fortunately, the rain held off again. Haven’t we been lucky?

The first to cross the line was the evergreen Tom Marchi, running as well as ever – What’s your secret, Tom? The fastest time was by Rob Wheatley, 30:41.

There were 7 first timers and 8 pbs.

Thanks to everyone who ran and all the marshals and helpers. Next race is at Birdingbury on 14th July.

Jackie and Chris

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Results for the Brinklow h/c, 12-May-2016

Jackie & Chris have provided the following report:

The first of the Thursday night handicaps once again brought good weather. Chris and Wayne arrived first to set up the course, I arrived a little later just as all the runners were beginning to turn up. Thursday night handicaps have always been very popular and this year’s race was no exception. There were 48 people running, which included 1 junior and 1 guest.

First over the line was Peter Whitehouse, one of our newer members (as Sphinx tradition dictates he has been informed that he won’t win again!!). Peter was over 4 mins ahead of the second runner, Will Robertson and Narinder Bains came in 3rd. On the night there were 7 first timers and 12 p.b’s.

After the run we all met up at a new venue for this event, the Roseycombe, where we were made very welcome and provided with plenty of healthy chips and sandwiches.

Thanks to everyone that helped on the night, or offered to help. We had loads of people volunteer, and even if we didn’t need you this time everyone is appreciated. We can’t run the handicaps without you.

Jackie and Chris

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Results for the Grandborough h/c, 17-Apr-2016

Welcome to summer! The first handicap was held in glorious sunshine; just what Chris and I needed for our first experience of organising the handicap series.

I drove over from The Regency 10k in Leamington to find Chris and Fiona surrounded by people and the handicap ready to start. A total of 34 ran, which included 2 guests and 1 junior.

Our two guests, Vicky and then, Sophie, went off first, followed by everyone else. There was a difference of about 30 minutes between the first starters and the last, but for us, it went very quickly.

Everyone started; breathe a sigh of relief!! It was then that Chris and I realised that we were the only two on the finish line and started to panic about how we would record it all. But then, running up the hill towards us came Imran – our knight in shining armour. Phew, panic over.

Our guests crossed the line in first and second place. The first club runner back was Michael Gough, but as a junior was not eligible for the handicap trophy. The winner of the trophy was Steve Osmond who finished fourth.

In all, there were 11 first timers, and 9 p.bs. The result of the day was by Catherine Gough who took two minutes off the ladies course record. Well done.

Thanks to everyone who helped on the day, putting out the course, handing out numbers, marshalling and helping on the finish line. And thanks to everyone who ran.

Jackie and Chris

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Results for The Greenway h/c, 04-Oct-2015

The last race of this year’s handicap series took place along The Greenway from Burton Green to Kenilworth. Since becoming part of the handicap series in 2012, this out and back route has become the traditional final race of the series. For the second year in succession the race was won by the runner starting first, this year Anne Cartwright ran away from the rest of the field to cross the line first in 50:31, just ahead of a fast finishing Trevor Clark who came home in second place in 32:44 with Laura Duggins third in 38:38. The fastest run of the day came from Rob Wheatley who finished in 31:17, with Jamie Richards (32:02) and Wayne Broadbent (32:39) completing the top three.

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Results for the Corley h/c, 13-Aug-2015

The last evening race of this year took place over the usual route in Corley, 41 runners took part over one of the hardest courses used in the handicap series as it involves a long 2 mile climb up Wall Hill Road that just seems to go on forever.

It is however, a course that appears to suit this year’s winner, Alan Patrick (40:31). Following his 3rd place last year, Alan won the event in 2012 and finished 4th in 2011, if you want to know what happened in 2013 you’ll have to speak to Alan as it wouldn’t be right for me to say he finished 43rd out of 48 starters. Following Alan home were Suresh Basra (49:13) and Vicki O’Brien (47:05). The quickest run of the evening was by Andy Wilkinson (31:47) with Paul Slatford (34:13) and Pete Fahy (34:19) making up the top three.

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