[Not a valid template]The Xmas Handicap for the Ken and Lynne Hawtin Trophy took place over the Crawfordsburn Trail in good conditions on a crisp and sunny morning with a field of 29 runners including track and cross country runners, sprinters, decathletes, Santa Claus and a dog. The result was a wipeout from the power athletes with Peter Glass and James Niblock running away with first and second. Jonathan McGarvey in third was the most improved, Pat O”Driscoll the first veteran while James Budde edged out Robin Brown, Francis Marsh and course specialist Brian Barron to post the fastest net time with 17:28 minutes. Maggi Gibson was the first lady to finish and Kerry Iveston had the fastest net time. Though not a club course record, her time of 22:22 minutes is a girls record for the Hawtin Shield.
This was the third year that the Hawtin Trophy was awarded for the Christmas Handicap though the Handicap has been going for several years. The trophy is appropriate for the time of year as it commemorates Ken”s legendary Boxing Day Run which was held continuously for forty years. It is also about the only time when there is a window for all athletes with students home for Christmas and power athletes available after coming off their endurance phase.