[Not a valid template]The Xmas Handicap for the Ken and Lynne Hawtin Trophy took place in ideal conditions on a crisp and sunny morning with a huge field of 39 runners and a dog. The race was a triumph for Brian Smith”s Junior Boys squad with Brian Barron winning and Chris Denny and Jordan Stokes also in the first seven on 4th and 7th. Robin Brown had a great run to finish 2nd with Francis Marsh 3rd, Michael Dyer 5th and Jordan Neil 6th.
Trevor Spencer was 8th after going off first and holding on all the way until the final sprints but at least he had a course pb. The returnee Kerry Iveston was first woman with Stephanie Hambling and Lynn Kerr next. Francis had the fastest net time with 17.09 minutes, a record for the event and a course record for a veteran. Other good net times came from Michael 17.17, Robin 17.21, Jordan 17.22 and James 17.30 min. Kerry had the fastest net time for a woman with 22.44 with Lynn 23.01 and Stephanie 23.04.This was the second 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 Kewn”s legendary Boxing Day Run which was held continuously for forty years