Christmas Handicap 2006

Despite grey and dreich weather of late, Saturday afternoon was a pleasant Spring like day, with lovely views across the Strath to Dumgoyne and Slackdhu, lit up golden in the sunshine. And so it was to such cheery conditions, that an equally cheery bunch of Westies and friends met at the huts by Carbeth Loch for the annual Christmas Handicap race. Dave and I got to work on creating the usual excellent handicap differentials, and not too many minutes after 1pm, the first runner was off. With 21 participants for this nearly three mile blast, folk were leaving the starting gate in quick succession, Cap'n Chris being last man away. The time-keepers, Isabel, Laura, and myself didn't have long to wait before the front runners came down the finishing track. Fine marshalling at the gate by Margaret and Robert ensured that nobody 'cheated' by stepping the low fence, but followed the traditional route over the final stile before the last 40 yards to the finish line. Muffy, just in front as she was getting the leg over (the stile) was suddenly gee'd on when the six foot sexy blonde in second place pinched her bum, or the back of her leg as she insists. This resulted in Muffy sprinting to victory, closely followed by Tom who was trying to stop his blonde wig and basque from falling off.

Like a man possessed, Rod the plod came flying down the track, quickly vaulted the stile, and didn't just grab third place, but fastest run time of the day by quite a margin - the first sub 18 minute result for a few years. Good runs by Pauline, Shona (fastest lady), and Gibson, for 4th 5th and 6th, then 11 runners over the next 55 seconds saw Isabel's hand doing a blur on the timesheet. Two more bodies, then Tom's friends and newbie couple to this kind of thing, Nicky and French Maid Neil crossed the line together. We were treated to a visit by the Right Honourable, his Royal Highness Big AL of Cleveden, before heading round to the Carbeth Inn for refreshments and a fine distribution of 'unwanted' Xmas present prizes by Social Sec Steffen, wrapping up a grand day out.

Place, Time, Real Time

1) 26 50, 22 50, Muffy

2) 26 52, 21 22, Tom

3) 27 08, 17 38, Rod

4) 27 20, 23 50, Pauline

5) 27 25, 19 25, Shona

6) 27 33, 20 03, Gibson

7) 28 06, 26 36, Ian

8) 28 09, 19 09, Dave

9) 28 10, 25 56, Helen

10) 28 12, 18 12, Chris

11) 28 21, 27 51, Sheila

12) 28 24, 24 39, Michelle

13) 28 34, 20 04, Rob

14) 28 40, 26 40 Drew

15) 28 45, 20 00 Steffen

16) 28 52, 25 13, Gillian A.

17) 29 01, 22 01, Gavin

18) 30 01, 30 01, Graham

19) 31 21, 25 36, Alan

20) 32 15, 29 45, Nicky

20) 32 15, 29 00, Neil

Posted by Charlie Campbell on Sun 31 Dec 2006 | 3 comments

Category handicap races