Handicapper's Report - January 3.5k Handicap

• fifth run of the 2018-19 series
• muggy. Warm and 90% humidity.
• 59 starters
• 6 newbies
• 8 qualified participants bettered the handicap
• 5 participants achieved pbs
• 4 of whom now have at least 3 pbs in a row
• 2 others achieved their best times in over 9 months

Another ‘muggy' summer morning greeted our 59 starters. Our line-up included 6 newbies to the 3.5k, including 5 backing up after the 10k last week and we are truly glad that the conditions last week didn't put you off. Well done. I've been advised many times that the 3.5k is the premier event 😊 so welcome.

The first seven to cross the finishing mat were some of our qualifying first-timers or re-qualifiers. The next 8 were our only qualified participants to better handicap.

The first was our trophy winner Chandra Gurung in his pb time of 14:46. First time under 15:00. And followed up his 2nd place in the 10k last Saturday. You are running very well Chandra, and obviously liking the warmest weather.

Chasing Chandra to the mats was Sophie Trinh in 2nd, with her best run since June'18. In 3rd was Veronica Stevens, in her p.best of 28:50. Congratulations to each of you.

For Veronica this was a richly deserved official placing; in November Veronica was running her 3rd qualifier, so ineligible for the trophy, but did cross the line first; in December, with her first qualified run, Veronica broke handicap by more than 1 minute and again missed the trophy. This go, Veronica is officially 3rd. All great efforts Veronica.

Not far behind and within 1 & ½ seconds of each other were Antonina Fieni, Pam Kennedy and Pauline Kelly, who were the others to pb this go. Ant and Pauline have now pb'd 4 in a row, Pam 4 times in the last 5, and Veronica the last 3 in a row. Going great guns ladies. Really applaud your efforts.

And not to forget the boys, we have Dave Kennedy giving his best since January'18, and Bill Rannard best since February'18.

Our fastest on course was David Riches in 12:46, returning from injury with a great run. Dave started off 59th and was the 4th to cross the finish mat.

Handicap Results:
1st:  Chandra Gurung – 14:46 – a 28 sec pb
2nd:  Sophie Trinh – 16:58 – her best since June'18
3rd:  Veronica Stevens – 28:50 – a 23 sec pb

Fastest on course:
Males
David Riches – 12:46
Chandra Gurung – 14:46
Kevin Tran – 15:49

Females
Jacqui Viterale – 16:13
Siobhan Kelly – 16:25
Kayley Sommer – 16:35

Juniors (under 16)
Males
Kevin Tran – 15:49
Nathan Trinh – 17:46
Pablo Gomez – 26:07

Females
Kayley Sommer – 16:35
Jessica Gurung – 17:27
Brianna Lee – 21:49

Juniors (under 19)
Females
Sophie Trinh – 16:58
Isabel Gomez – 17:12

Random draw prizes – won by: #11 Bill Rannard, #25 Pat Lewis, and #39 Ron Stitzinger. There were two lucky tickets prizes as well, won by Taylah Sommer and Lachlan Lee.

Thank you and congratulations to everyone that participated. Another great morning at the Lake.

Thank you to our members who helped with the set-up and take down of everything, water, fruit table, mike, mats etc etc. Appreciated by all.

There are 6 reports attached:

• the "Across the Line" report
• the "Chip Time" report
• the "Chip Times" with a pb history for current runners of their times on the current course
• the Handicap Progressive Point-score
• the Fastest-Male Progressive Point-score
• the Fastest-Female Progressive Point-score.

And a heads up ... that there will possibly be a course change in the very near future. A couple of us have had concerns about congestion towards and coming back from the second turn-around. And with consistently high participant, this could get worse. Rob Davo has put a proposal to the committee members for their consideration that should eliminate this. If we have the thumbs up, we'll advertise this in coming weeks, probably going live in March. The distance will remain at 3.5k.

Vic.

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2019 January 3.5km Handicap - Start Times 2018 January 3.5km Handicap - Across the Line & Points 2018 January 3.5km Handicap - Chip Times 2018-19 3.5km Handicap - Chip Times (as at January 2019) 2018-19 3.5km Handicap - Handicap Pointscore - (as at January 2019) 2018-19 3.5km Handicap - Fastest Male Pointscore (as at January 2019) 2018-19 3.5km Handicap - Fastest Female Pointscore (as at January 2019)