Christmas Handicap - Another Colourful Menagerie

Fast Santa - Alison Lessels

The annual Harriers' Christmas Handicap took place in fine conditions on Sunday morning with 21 Harriers in fancy dress ready to run the 4 mile course and many more out to support and observe the colourful spectacle. Road works had closed off part of the route to traffic which meant that at least half of the lap was totally traffic free. After a last minute course inspection, the route was declared safe to run on with no ice underfoot and we were ready for the off. Everyone had to run 5 laps totaling 4 miles, starting off in reverse order of predicted finishing time.

Santa up the chimney - Jim Holmes

This year we had many of our new members taking part as well as the regulars showing amazing imagination in costume design. As usual there were many variations on the Santa and elf theme. Unlike previous years (and unlike the traditional Santa), all of our Santas and elves (Alison Lessels, Sandra Reid, Richard Lawton, Neil Green) had learned that a big Santa belly was not good for running and they were all remarkably slim and fast this year. The only exception was Jim Holmes who, despite his slim stature, brought the chimney that he was stuck in.

The world of stage and screen small and large was well represented this year with a cast from The Wizard of Oz (Ruth Kelly doing a star turn), what looked like Calamity Jane (Lorraine Buchanan), Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmare (or Psycho, not sure which! Phil Kerrigan), Keystone Cop Criminal (Gordon McInally), a Pirate from the Caribbean (or more likely East Kilbride, David Herbertson)  followed by Wee Willie Winkie (Billy Buchanan type cast again) and, of course, a pair of 118 style runners (Frances Maxwell and Cheryl Simpson).

Ruth Kelly on her way to Oz

2 x 118: you do the maths

This event would not be complete without a male member of the Harriers looking remarkably comfortable in women's clothes. This year that accolade fell to Jim Mearns.

A very convincing Jim Mearns

The animals were out in force too with everything from Martin Howell as a leopard (or a clown but definitely not a cheetah; he wasn't fast enough), Hugh Simpson and Kenny Leinster as cheeky monkeys (say no more) to Eddie Reid trying to find one good leg out of his eight as a spider.

Surprisingly for a running club, there were various types of sporting character represented. Most authentic was David Searil who was the complete baseball player, completing 5 home runs in the course of the race. Martin Duthie was the other Wizard of Oz in his Australian triathlon outfit whilst once again Russell Couper (fresh from a great victory in the SVHC Handicap on Saturday) was an implausible athlete.

 

David Searil on home base

The finish was tight this year with Hugh Simpson just holding off Gordon McInally to win, making this his "winniest" season ever having also won the Grand Prix. Fastest time of the day went to Martin Duthie in a very impressive 23:28. The fastest ladies were Alison Lessels and Frances Maxwell who dead heated on 29:08. All the results are here (there are still some minor adjustments to the times to be made). However, of most interest is the extensive gallery of photos which is here. A huge thanks to all the photographers Liz, Mandy, Kay, Alison, Andy and the professional, John McIntyre (watch out for a spread in the EK News in the coming weeks).

Alan

In search of one good leg - Eddie Reid

Hugh Simpson being chased to the line by Gordon McInally

Fastest of the Day - Martin Duthie