Entries for The Spring Handicap 2024 are now closed. The fun is about to begin on Saturday 6th April. Your fastest time in April at Auldcathie Parkrun will be the one that counts this month. Handicaps have been published in the files section of this post (it looks like a paper clip). If you have a blank next to your name it is because I could not find you on the Parkrun website, don’t worry you will get a handicap once you have run at Auldcathie.

This all started in 2020 during the first COVID lockdown when Ted finch put on monthly socially distanced 5km runs. In 2021 we had another lockdown this time 27 of us raced 5km from the Stadium over three weekends, Alan Robertson had a great run on the last weekend to pip long time leader Kenny Mearns. In 2022 33 of us visited Oriam, Polkemmet and Livingston with Jim “I never knew I had entered” Alexander prevailing by running close to his handicap each month. By 2023 word had got out this was THE event to win and 53 people competed. We toured Auldcathie, Polkemmet and Livingston with Abigail Strath winning comfortably. In 2023 we had Bridgegate at Polkemmnet on the last Saturday in May, mysteriously the final bridge collapsed denying a final chance of a fast time for many! The medals changed hands several times during the final run at Livingston in June, with Bridgegate suspect JT losing out.

We have 67 entries for 2024, perhaps an omen for those Celtic minded.

Quick reminder on how it works, your handicap is your second fastest Parkrun time from your last ten runs. A new handicap is worked out each month. Your handicap is subtracted from your fastest time in April at Auldcathie. Person with the lowest score is awarded 100 points, next gets 99 points and so on. Same again in May at Polkemmet. Then into 3 Leagues, (Champions, Europa, Conference), for June with double points on offer.