Harriers Virtual 5k Handicap, 18-24 May 2020

25 May 2020

The second race of the Cheltenham Harriers Virtual Handicap series took place over a distance of 5k, with 26 club members running solo time trials throughout the week.

LV60 runner Kathryn Morton was the first to head off, with Nicola Whiteman and Caroline Cotterell starting 50 and 60 seconds later. Ed Grazier meanwhile had to wait 9:47 before he set off with his wheelchair on indoor rollers. Assuming that all athletes were evenly paced throughout the race, then this is how the top 3 positions changed throughout the race.

• 1220m Kayla Garland catches Carolyn Cotterell.  1st KM, 2nd NW, 3rd KG
• 1695m Kayla Garland catches Nicola Whiteman. 1st KM, 2nd KG, 3rd NW
• 2778m Caroline Cotterell catches Nicola Whiteman. 1st KM, 2nd KG 3rd CC
• 3279m Dave Francis catches Caroline Cotterell. 1st KM 2nd KG 3rd DF
• 3500m Kayla Garland catches Kathryn Morton. 1st KG 2nd KM 3rd DF
• 3630m Dave Francis catches Kathryn Morton. 1st KG 2nd DF 3rd KM
• 3695m Dave Francis catches Kayla Garland. 1st DF 2nd KG 3rd KM
• 3930m Peter Carmichael catches Kathryn Morton. 1st DF 2nd KG 3rd PC
• 4264m Peter Carmichael catches Kayla Garland. 1st DF 2nd PC 3rd KG
• 4762m Ben Lees catches Kayla Garland. 1st DF 2nd PC 3rd BL

Click here for results of the 5k handicap

Click here for handicap series standings 

A superb run of 17:53 by Dave Francis, almost a minute quicker than his official PB, gave him a huge 34 second victory in the handicap standings. Peter Carmichael and Ben Lees also impressed to take second and third before the runners started coming in thick and fast. Dave Johnson and Mark James were next home before Kayla Garland place sixth. Joe Turner produced the fastest run with 15:34, whilst Jo Wikie was the fastest lady with 20:47 and Ed Grazier pushed himself to 13:02.

With points based on finishing positions, the series standings after two races see Dave Francis also take the overall lead ahead of the opening race’s joint winner Nick Holliday. Peter Carmichael, Ben Lees and Marianne Day complete the top five. However, with athletes only counting their best scores, there is still lots to play for and the winner could even come from someone who has not yet raced in the series.

The next race in the series will be a mile to be run between Monday 1st and Sunday 7th June. Entry will open soon and details will be on the front page of the club website. Runners do not have to have entered any previous races in the series, but even those who registered for previous races must enter again.