Ian Parker wins the November Harestock Handicap

Despite possibly the worst weather of this handicap year we had 13 brave athletes out to contest the November handicap. Darkness, lots of standing water, wet leaves and soggy verges meant this one could have been a CC6. Certainly not a night for PB's and indeed only 2 runners managed to beat their handicaps.
nThere was the usual healthy mix of warm-up strategies (including of course the option to stay dry in the bus shelter) but whilst tonight's winner had his own secret plan the rest of the podium came from the Westman Loop Thresholds persuasion.
nOur winner was Ian Parker (9'51 gross) comfortably holding off the pack with Steve Oliver 2nd (9'59 gross) and John Mills 3rd (10'03 gross). The final straight was a comedy with both Steve and John being deep in their marathon training and very one-paced in comparison with Ian's renowned sprinting prowess.
nFastest on the night was Bracken (6'37) with James Terry 2nd fastest (6'53) and a very welcome newbie Tamas Bown posted a fine (6'56) to be third fastest on the night. With Tamas now knowing the course Bracken might have his hands full next month.
nNovember is of course the penultimate month of the year and there is growing interest in the overall standings....can't say too much at this stage as we enter the secretive "no comment" stage of the year.
nWe do know that our dedicated pair of ever presents (John Mills and Louise Snook) are still in with a chance of 12 out of 12. John's determination to meet the challenge is approaching mythical levels, tonight's adventure in the rain being despite having a taxi booked for 06.00 and heading off to do the New York Marathon this weekend. Louise by comparison is calm and assured in her planning - she has narrowly missed out on one of those coveted 12/12 medals in the past (Louise had completed 52 handicap runs before 2022) so is simply going to do it this time.
nThe next Harestock Handicap race will be the last in the 2022 series and is as always on the first Thursday of the month, the 1st of December. Please make an effort to come along as it is always fun to have as many folks as possible getting in amongst the title contenders....many a slip 'twixt cup and lip and all that! To add spice to the mix this year the competition for the last podium place is very tight with a gaggle of runners currently tied and separated only on countback.
nBe there at the bus-stop ready to race at 19.30 or join us for some warm-up threshold work round the Westman mini-loop from 19.00. If you happen to be in the area doing your own session (no names chaps but you know who you are) maybe plan on doing one of your reps as the handicap race....it's a wee bit of fun.