The annual Christmas Handicap for the Lynne and Ken Hawtin Shield took place on Saturday morning at a chilly and somewhat icy Crawfordsburn Country Park. Unfortunately neither Lynne or Ken was able to be present as they were out of the province. Simon Cummings comprehensively beat the handicapper to take the Shield for the second time, his first being the inaugural year over the Crawfordsburn course. Craig McMeechan was 2nd in an impressive run from scratch and had the fastest net time of the day. Marathon specialist Darren Hamilton took 3rd and then Jamie McMeechan and Nick Irvine who had started together finished with the same time. Clare Russell was first lady home followed by Jane Stevenson, Murphy Miller and Rebecca Collins. Youngsters, Craig and Murphy stole the show in terms of the actual net times, Craig running 18:22 min and Murphy slaughtering the U15 girls course record with 21:33. After Craig, Ben Caughers ran 19:09, Darren ran 19:31 and Ed Mezzetti 19:35. Jessica Scott had a 2nd lady net time of 22:14 and Rebecca had 23:02.
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The handicapping wasn’t bad, with most male runners running close to the predicted times, Simon excepted. Though the ladies ran close to the predicted order, their net times tended to be a couple of minutes more than estimated. Thanks to all who turned up and ran, to Brian Smith, Norman Lellyett and their course preparation and marshalling team, to timers Roy and Lynne Kerr and all involved in preparation and presentation. David Seaton and Barry Scarth did the handicaps.
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In the London Marathon draw, club places went to Janice Sheppey, Karen Sinclair and Janice McCartney.