Fell Handicap 2013

[Colin Ardron]

As the inaugural holder of the illustrious Fell Handicap Shield, I feel constrained to petition for an exceedingly generous handicap. You may question my temerity but only if you had no experience of the enormous psychological burden that shouldering such a prestigious award entails. This has resulted in me being worn down both mentally and physically to a shadow of my former self to such a degree that no handicapper worth his salt would have any choice other than to set me off with the first showing of daylight.
I rest my case and feel under no obligation to descend to the sordid depths of offering bribes and/or prayers to false gods but I might just buy you a pint if you set me off early.

[Steve Swallow]

15th also fine with me - looking forward to it
Thanks!

[phil cheek]

All,
Dec 15th it is.
St Dunstans booked
Julian,can you do a post on the home page please
phil

[david tucker]

Well done Phil. Another fearsome pre Christmas event to look forward to. Please check all my P B's etc this year to give me a start time as late as possible. I beat Diggers last year so need to start further down the field this time.
I assume you will publish the start times well in advance? Thanks

[Philip Barnes]

Good job Phil! Please take Tucker's comments seriously!

[Clare GVS]

15th is good for me, thanks Phil!

I was going to get in an early whine for a first wave start due to injury/not doing much but if I bring Kirby the collie again then dog-assisted speed probably cancels that out (although we did do about an extra half mile last year in pursuit of interesting smells and crows). My times for this year - not very good. Kirby's times are great, as always.

[Julian Brown]

First dog is always keenly contested (probably more so than the human race) - indeed the outright winner has had 4 legs in the past (no, not a pantomime horse)

[MuddyBird]

Just put it on the calendar!
Count me in please Phil.

[david tucker]

Handicap's gone a bit quiet lately Phil. Is everything going well with the calculated comparative finishing times?

A recce run to include the sweetie tree location would be in order for anyone who may not know its whereabouts. A Sunday run for a truncated handicap route run to include it could be in order to do this. Post here if you are interested.

Doing the Lake-land classic Screes race on Saturday with Brian and Dave W so will be striving to get a well good time to ensure fair handicapping.

[Simon]

15th is good for me, thanks Phil!

I was going to get in an early whine for a first wave start due to injury/not doing much but if I bring Kirby the collie again then dog-assisted speed probably cancels that out (although we did do about an extra half mile last year in pursuit of interesting smells and crows). My times for this year - not very good. Kirby's times are great, as always.

Don't fall for it Phil... Clare didn't do so bad at Windgather today! :!

[phil cheek]

Tucker,
yes,good idea to visit the sweetie tree at least once on a recce run & a Sunday would be good.
Please organise & in return I`ll give you an extra minute!!!!!!,but again I may have to penalise a couple of minutes as you`ll be so familiar with the terrain
Phil

[MikeG]

I'm tempted!
I presume handicaps are done on recent form, not last time running the Handicap!
Also, 5 Grandchildren must be worth something!

[Colin Ardron]

2 grand children, several assorted sheep, twelve demanding tenants and the sheer mental burden of having won the handicap last year - must count for something

[david tucker]

I can confirm there will be a Sweetie Tree Recce on Sunday 24th November. This will be posted on the forum the Friday before the 24th as a Sunday run and besides the sweetie tree will include as much of the proper route as we can squeeze in ~2 hours.

Perhaps Mr Cheek could confirm if there is a "miss out the sweetie tree" option and if there is, what is the time penalty?

The purpose of the recce is to try and keep everyone on course on the day so if you have any rabid ideas of winning it, you're doomed.

[Philip Barnes]

Dear Mr Cheek,
The following runners are still in the Fell Champs:
Steve Watts
Mandy Calvert
Barry Blyth
Mathew Lewis
John Mooney
Philip Barnes
Sarah Ledbury
Trevor Longman

For this race to count, the sweetie tree is mandatory. Given the nefarious activities of some of our compatriots in the past(no name, no packdrill) , can you be extra vigilant and ensure they all return with the necessary evidence?