Update 4 September
A day of heavy and thundery showers threatened to be the unpleasant backdrop for the final race of the series. However, the weather gods kindly halted the precipitation just in time for the first of the 79 participants to set off in pursuit of those vital points.
Going in to round 6 Gemma Beahan was in an extremely strong position, and with a finishing position of 35th and bonus points from a course PB she cemented her claim to the women’s title.
Coming home in 1st place and with a course PB 2nd place went to the improving Jane Ward, but unfortunately on the day her best was not enough to overtake Gemma. Recently nominated Sam Ryan took 3rd place overall.
In the men’s table, it was close, oh so close. A no-show from current leader Ben Isaac, all the pressure was resting on Dave Tittle’s shoulders, who was ahead on the 4 out of 5 races table, Unfortunately Dave DNF’d on the final round, leaving contention for the title between Spencer Davies, Tim Hughes, Dave Halford, Ainsley Wileman and Andy Barret. On the day, fresh off his ROTM award, it was Captain Spencer who took the men’s victory, closely followed by Tim Hughes with a huge course PB. Despite a course PB Ainsley Wileman came homes in 32nd place, just behind Dave Halford.
Final Results
Women:
Gemma Beahan 975 points
Jane Ward 970 points
Sam Ryan 956 points
Men:
Spencer Davies 942 points
Tim Hughes 939 points
Ainsley Wileman 923 points
Update 31 August
Race 6 on 3 September is the final race in the 2025 series and your last chance to improve your standing in the tables. The men’s table is extremely tight with only one point separating the top two, and only five points between third and fourth positions. Further down the table there is lots of jockeying for position and race 6 could well see some changes there.
The positions at the top of the women’s table are less hotly contested but there is plenty of close competition further down the table.
Remember, it is the results of the best 5 races that count so there is still plenty to play for.
Will we get another bumper turnout?
Update 9 August
Probably due to the summer holiday season there was slightly reduced participation in the penultimate race of the 2025 series. On a very pleasant summer’s evening first home of the 73 hopefuls was Charley Mottram making her series debut, followed in in 2nd place by guest runner Darren Lawley.
After 5 races Ben Isaac has a one-point lead over Ainsley Wileman at the top of the men’s table, with Dave Halford in third place.
In the women’s table Gemma Beahan has a 44-point lead over second placed Karen Brewster and Tracey Williams in third.
One race to go, and with the best 5 counting things could yet change.
Update 3 July
After Race 4 Lara Kog has moved up into second place and Rebecca O’Harrow now occupies the third place slot with Gemma Beahan increasing her lead slightly at the top of the table.
Ben Isaac continues to hold the lead in the men’s table With Ainsley Wileman and Timothy Devenport now moving into 2nd and 3rd places.
There are not many points separating the leaders in both tables so it an appearance in the next two races could be critical.
Update 6 June
Half-way into the series and recently joined member Gemma Beahan has taken the lead at the top of the women’s table, with a narrow 6-point lead over second-placed Sam Ryan with Lara Kog following closely third.
Ben Isaac finds himself heading the men’s table with an 18-point lead over David Tittle and Kyle Turner who are on equal points in joint second place.
Everything is still to play for, and it’s the best five races that count.
Update 9 May
A slightly reduced field for the 2nd race but nevertheless 85 took to the starting line. On the finishing line it was Daisy Robbins who was first to cross with a nearly 3-minute improvement in time from Race 1, followed in by Sally Eason making her 2025 series debut.
Adrian Lowe was first man home in 5th place.
After two races Rachel Liggett has a 2 point lead at the top of the women’s table; Adrain Lowe leads the men’s table with an 11 point lead. It’s early days yet.
Update 4 April
What a fantastic turnout for the first race in the 2025 series on 2 April – 109 members and 1 guest completed the 5k circuit in Allesley.
First home Julie Cozens was followed in by Rachel Liggett in 2nd place and Caroline Hughes in 3rd. First man home was Glen Guyver-Fletcher in 7th place.
With the benefit of bonus points from PB runs Caroline Hughes and Beth McCluskey occupy the top two places in the women’s table.
Glen Guyver-Fletcher and Graeme Brannen head the men’s table.
Established members will know what this is all about but for the more recently joined members here’s your chance to engage in some friendly rivalry on a levelled playing field.
Important: We will again be using the parkrun system for recording results. You MUST therefore bring your parkrun barcode with you. No barcode = no result.
If you don’t yet have a parkrun barcode sign up at https://www.parkrun.org.uk/
You also have to tell us that you want to take part – it’s no good just turning up on the night. You won’t have an allocated start time.
Fill in the form on the website to let us know that you want to be included. If you ran in the 2024 series the handicapper will use your times from last season to allocate you with a start time. Otherwise give us an estimated finishing time and explain the basis for that time. For example, it could be a recent parkrun or other 5k time.
Remember to bring your parkrun ID barcode with you.
(This can be the parkrun barcode on your phone)
Note these dates:
- Wednesday 2 April
- Wednesday 7 May
- Wednesday 11 June
- Wednesday 2 July see results after Race 4
- Wednesday 6 August
- Wednesday 3 September
All races start at 7pm
You must be a paid up member to take part and score points, although we can accommodate a small number of guests. Guests must also sign up.
The race starts and finishes just off Coundon Wedge Drive as this is a safe location that avoids crossing a busy roundabout.
You can help those involved in organising the Summer Handicap by:
- Paying your subs now if you haven’t done so already
- Filling in the sign-up form
- Carrying your parkrun ID tag with you on all handicap races
You can find out all about it on the Summer Handicap page.