2007 Reports

Last updated: Thursday, 24 May, 2007

One Handicap Too Far!

Event: Club Cross Country Handicap 2007
Time: 7:00pm
Date: Thursday, 17 May 2007
Venue: Sparsholt Firs

This was like a gathering of the clans. We hadn’t seen so many Harriers together in one place for a race since the beginning of the cross country season at Ascott–under–Wychwood! It must have been withdrawal symptoms that got everyone out there on Thursday – just can’t wait for the mud and guts to return.

This time round we were blessed with clement conditions in which to race compared to last year’s blustery affair. With Dick Jégou marshalling the troops and allocating the handicaps everything was well–organised. Gareth Smith was even giving some of the participants an orienteering crash–course in an effort to make sure that everyone negotiated the course without mishap – this all to no avail again as we shall see later!

For those of you who are unversed in the finer points of the cross country handicap the object of the exercise is to try through the handicapping system to get a blanket finish of all the runners crossing the finishing line together. It’s a bit like horse racing without the horses and the weights (– now there’s a thought!!), if you see what I mean! As you have probably gathered the best laid of plans hardly ever come to fruition and that’s how get our winner – usually because someone has lied about their best 10k time! This is something we are planning to rectify for future events.

A lineup of the suspects minus those missing in action.

Once all the handicapping was arranged our master of proceedings sent the hares on their way – those running off scratch (i.e. no handicap). Somehow I had managed to be saddled with a handicap of 5 minutes and in present form it was like a jockey being handed a 20 pound penalty. But, in the spirit of things I went along with it because this is a fun event and the emphasis should be about enjoying yourself – as much as you can in the circumstances!

With the early departers disappearing off into the distance the 5 minute handicap was beginning to feel like a lead weight. Thankfully there a couple of runners who were on a handicap of 4 minutes which would give the group of us on 5 minutes something to aim at. As the 5–minute group set off at least the group ahead were still visible in the distance. This is where I made my big mistake!

My tactics were to just try and run as fast as I could and see how I got on – training over the past 6–9 months has been a very hit and miss affair. Anyway, I set off at what I felt was a conservative pace running within myself, or so I thought. I quickly found myself running alongside Simon Leach leaving te other 5–minuters behind and closing down on those ahead slowly but inexorably. The first one and a half to two miles went pretty well and then the wheels fell off, big time. No stamina – just lost it completely. Simon carried on and caught those ahead while I felt like I was running through a vat of treacle. We hadn’t even reached halfway yet.

The first runners, of the many, to pass me was Simon Atkin who has been showing some good form recently, he tore past like a man possessed and quickly set about closing down on those ahead. Next were the tight–knit group of Gareth Smith, Mark Godden and Michael Gallagher all looking remarkably in control and running smoothly which is more than could be said about my current state of affairs. I quickly had to come to terms with the fact that this wasn’t going to be my day (or evening for that matter) and set about trying to make the best of a bad job.

When I reached the turn at the Red Barn all I could see ahead of me were dots rapidly disappearing into the distance. Demoralising is not the word! By the time I had reached the climb up to the Ridgeway I was definitely struggling I was beginning to wish I had gone for a leisurely swim – but that was the wrong attitude and I had to force myself to snap out of wallowing in self–pity. Just when I thought it was getting a bit lonely out there Frank Brisoce tore past at a rate of knotts looking like a man on a mission.

By the time I reached the turn onto the Ridgeway the end was almost in sight but I had the sneaking suspicion that I was about to be swallowed up by the serious athletes who had been saddled with large handicaps starting at the back of the field. First, though, I had the pleasure of Hong Kong Knoppy (alias Ros Knopp) charging past with about a mile and a half to go looking particlarly smug. I suppose I deserved that after charging off at the start.

Then came the big guns Stuart Shilston, Neil Chapman and Paul Jégou all passed me in quick succession making giant inroads into the frontrunners’ leads. Given that Paul had run to the start, he was showing no signs of fatigue following the previous weekends’ half marathon exertions.

With just the last climb to go before the final push to the finish I sighted Clare Hazell in the distance ahead who had been one the runners starting from scratch. This gave me the impetus to try to up my pace (– what little of it there was) in an effort to catch her. It was touch and go but in the end I managed it with about a hundred metres to spare and thenpromptly collapsed over the line.

Despite being worse for wear, I managed to exchange a few pleasantries with my fellow competitors and put on a brave face for the photograph to mark the occasion at the end. You’ll note that there a number of people not present in the photograph. This was because the course claimed another 3 runners who went missing in action, albeit temporarily. Unfortunately, Simon Leach, Graham Wiggins and Sarah Baker all failed to spot the turn onto the Ridgeway and ran on down the hill into Letcombe Bassett before returning to the finish via the Lambourn road – not to be recommended!

Frank Briscoe receiving the honours from Dick Jégou.

After the event, Frances Briscoe, heiress apparent to the Briscoe running throne, pointed out that her father in winning 2 consecutive handicaps must be unprecedented in the club’s history and there was some little concern that the handicapping might have been at fault! Frances also pointed out that Frank apparently started a minute later than his given handicap and still won! Thanks for rubbing salt into the wound, Frances!

All in all everyone had a great time and it certainly made a change from the usual Thursday evening training session. What really made the event was the excellent turnout which hopefully we will be able to maintain in future. Thanks again to Dick Jégou and Gareth Smith for organising and managing the proceedings. And so, with that, hope to see you all again next year!

Dene Stringfellow