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Andrew Brooks Blackcap Handicap 2023

Wednesday 14th June 2023

A great club evening...

Once again there was sublime weather and a fantastic club turnout to celebrate all that Andrew Brooks brought to the sport and Phoenix.

Blackcap Handicap, now titled the Andrew Brooks Blackcap Handicap, is one of the highlights of the club racing calendar pitting as it does runners of all ages (from 18 to 78) and abilities, from across the club, to be the first to cross the finishing line, after being handicapped by Liz based on recent 5k/10k race times. 

The course is a manageable but tough, rolling 5 miles, out and back from Ditchling Beacon to Blackcap. Once again it was dry, and with a gentle tailwind on the return leg, perfect running conditions. 

Strong running...

The handicapping, notoriously tricky and dare I say it controversial ;-) but the source of much friendly debate in the pub after, was very good this year with 47 of the 54 runners finishing within 4 minutes of each other. There were some great times with Simon Heath once again being fastest male in a blistering 26:37 (only 10 seconds shy of his course record), followed by the burgeoning talent of Jonathan Martin in 30:41. New member Suzy Rushforth was fastest female in 33:20. We look forward to seeing more of her racing for the Club. 

You could see everyone put in a good shift but there can only be one winner, and very well deserved it was too with one of the two septuagenarians, Eogan Mckenna, crossing the line first ... congratulations Eogan, and huge thanks to Liz, Sue and all the helpers that make this event run so smoothly and enjoyably. It really does show off all that is best about the Club...