[Not a valid template]A record field of 46 runners in the big race of the year could only pay respect as the Hawtin Shield for the Christmas Handicap was scooped by a 12 year old girl. Jemma Speers was among the early starters but soon broke clear and despite the charge behind her was never headed. Former club Captain Kris Lockhart was 2nd, Pat O”Driscoll 3rd and Caroline Livingstone, sttraight off the plane, was 4th.
The Battle of the Big Guns for the fastest actual time went to Jordan Neil with 17:12 m[n. Robin Brown 17:37, Francis Marsh 17:46, John Carlisle 17:49 and Nick Arkensparr 18:24. For the girls Roberta Dornan was fastest with 20:26, Kerry Iveston 21:47 and Lynne Kerr 22:58. Roberta”s time is a clear womens record for the course, course changes being required notwithstanding.
As well as the number of runners and the age of the winner , the event was notably the first time race numbers had been used, a good decision as it turned out. Only 2 minutes covered 3rd to 27th positions so we were averaging a finisher every 4 seconds. Absences and the current pandemic left the organisers short-handed but the race was adroitly handled by David Seaton and Eddie Wilson.This was the fourth 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. Uniquely in the calendar there is a window for all athletes with students home for Christmas and power athletes available after coming off their endurance phase.