The Autumn Handicap, falling as it does at a busy time of year, usually clashes with at least one other event. This year it was the Shepherds Skyline at Todmorden, which is always popular with 
members, but 28 still turned out to race around St Ives Estate. This year the course reverted to my original route, now that the tree felling in Betty’s wood has finished. It was over mixed terrain, with Marley Hill providing the main challenge. The weather was good after a stormy night.
Martin Peace left me the handicaps, but I still had to estimate those for anyone not listed, which made me realise how difficult a job it is!
Mother and son Nicky and Theo Clay crossed the line first and third respectively, with a good run by Joanne Henry to come between them in second. James Senior was the fastest man on the day, and well-done Ruth Thackray for setting a new ladies’ course record.
Many thanks to the marshals, especially for retrieving all the tape, flags and signs, which saved me a lot of time on Sunday morning! Thanks also, to John Capenerhurst for timekeeping, Barbara and Sue Jones for looking after registration, results and the raffle and to Ruth and Richard Thackray for donating a couple of the prizes. At the end of the day the event made a very small profit. (Sorry for the confusion over the pie and peas, I left my list at home, but hopefully everyone got their order!)
Finally, thank you to all the competitors for turning out and making the day worthwhile.
David Weatherhead