Mulled Wine Solent Breezes 10k Handicap - Sunday 6th December 2009
A rare sunny December day was the backdrop for a fantastic turn-up for the Mulled Wine Solent Breezes Winter Handicap Christmas fancy dress fun run (phew!) on Sunday 6th December.
50 odd (literally) stubbies turned up for the event in a marvellous array of festive fancy dress. 15 Santa Claus’s arrived from the North Pole together with a wonderful assortment of elfs, reindeers and a fairy!
The run itself started and finished at Hook Park Road (just outside Nick Kimber’s house in Warsash), and, as promised, was muddy and slippery throughout the route – lovely jubbly! Fine practice for those cross country lovers amongst us!
The aim was to set off without the benefits of watches, Garmins etc and finish as close to 1130 as possible. The route was a pleasant circular, flat course along road, gravel tracks and through fields and woods around the Solent Breezes and Warsash Common areas. For those budding tri-athletes out there, the weather had kindly added a number of swimming pools on route for that extra bit of training!
After sloshing around fields and paths for 55 minutes or so, the intrepid Christmas Revellers crossed the finish line back at Nick’s house. Nick then had the challenge of correctly identifying the 15 Santas, all of which seemed to appear at the same time! With everyone safely home, Nick and Helen kindly offered the assembled hoards of runners and supporters some very welcome mulled wine and mince pies.
When all the results were in the winning husband and wife team, the fairy and Santa (aka Andy and Annie Tomlinson), stole the show for a second handicap in a row with a performance which saw them finish about 30 seconds from the 1130 target. A fine achievement indeed, given the conditions underfoot!
Well done to all the other stubbies on what proved to be a great fun day out. All the finishers received goodie bags courtesy of Alton Sports so expect to see some snazzy new running kit next year. Thanks again to Nick and Helen for the use of their driveway and for preparing the mulled wine and mince pies. Roll on the Easter fancy dress handicap!? Watch this space. Tim Sullivan.
Click here for photos - Andy Tomlinson | Keith Whitaker | Tina Chantrey | Nick Kimber