Page 28 - Summer2016Gazette

28 Athletics Report
The Parris Handicap Series
2017

At the end of a great series John, but otherwise most wins
The monthly handicap race of events the overall winner were achieved by comfortable
series started in 1993. It was for 2017 was Neil Ives whose margins.
renamed in 1998 after Roy performances steadily improved The event generated about £500
Parris who sadly died after a over the course of the season profit and all the proceeds were
heroic fight against cancer. This with times ranging from 29.47 donated to The House and
event is an apt tribute to Roy. to 22.56 Social Committee to be used for
Ironically it was his slowest time the benefit of us all.
The event is a series of 5km that gained him that win in the One of the big highlights of
handicap races, which take place individual race in April, whilst the 2017 series were the BBQs
every month between April and the fastest time allowed him that Deniz Mehmet and Gareth
September. to secure the overall victory of Griffin arranged for every
James Ingram won the very first winning the series. Moreover Wednesday night of The Parris
his placings in the individual
race in a time of 18:45 and races were always in the top 8, Handicap. These BBQs proved
Graham Fee was the overall including a win and a second to be enormously successful and
winner for that year. place. attracted not only the runners
but also non-runners and guests
In fact due to such an impres- alike. The BBQ numbers in-
It is a testament to the success sive early showing Neil Ives was crease every time we hold them
of this race that in 1993 the ahead of the field throughout which indicates how popular
maximum number of runners the season, retaining first place they are with everyone. and our
in any race was 19 whilst 34 dif- going into the last event in bar profits increase considerably
ferent runners took part in the September. At one stage he on these nights! When Concern
series. This year between 20 and held a commanding lead of 13 is being expressed about
30 runners turned out for the points over the second placed the declining attendance on
events and 51 different runners competitor, who this season was Wednesday evenings, the BBQs
made at least one appearance Paul Kerekgyarto who in his provide a welcome boost of
during the 2017 series with 6 second season turned in an im- popularity and numbers in what
of them completing all 6 races. pressive series of performances should be the focal point of the
We had several regular juniors mostly under 20 minutes. In club’s week.
taking place and its always great July he reduced the lead to only These events could not take
to see them turning up putting six points but then a spirited place without volunteers so
in creditable performances. challenge from Heath Griffin many thanks to our Time Keep-
The April race was won by Neil further reduced the lead to 2 ers Mike and Terri, Recorders
Ives followed over the next points, making the competition Steve Hollingdale, Denise King
5 months by wins for Scott open, but Neil’s best perfor- and Peter Lovell and of course
Bulmer, Marc Knowles, Tom mance in terms of time allowed my wonderful wife Sheila who
Leeson, Graham Hollingdale him to pull away again and take takes the entries and helps
and David Leal. The fastest the series by a comfortable 10 calculate the winners at the end
man over the course was Ross points. of the evening.
Braden in a time of 16:37 and Second, was Heath Griffin a The first race of the 2018 series
the fastest lady was Chloe remarkable performance for one will be on Wednesday 11th
Haffenden in 19:50. The course who is only eight years old, and April at 7.15pm.
record remains at 15:13, which Dave Leal who was joint third
was set by Barry Stephenson in last year gained another thirds
June 2004. place, this time outright. Richard Griffin
The tightest finish came in
the July event when 7 seconds
separated Father and Son,
as Tom Leeson beat his dad