THE new year started with a bang as Dudley Kingswinford Running Club hosted its traditional New Year’s Day Handicap Race.

A 4.1 mile event from DK Rugby Club with runners going out along the Mile Flat taking in a loop in the country and back to the club. A twist see every runner starting together with the slowest going off first and the fastest last and everyone else given adjusted start times in between the two depending on their ability with the intention that, if the handicapper has done his job properly, everyone finishes together. With someone to chase and someone chasing you it makes for an interesting spectacle as runners approach the finish together in a big group.

With the race open to all comers, not just DK members, it was left to Tipton Harrier Tom Holden to record the fastest time of the day finishing in 21.43, from the DK pair of Ben Foster in 22.09 and Matt Biggs in 23.54.

In the women’s event, it was a home win for Sandra Brain who finished in 29.11. Cath Quane was runner up in 31.21 and Carol Fisher was third in 31.31, making it a clean sweep for the blue hoops.

The prize for 'nearest the handicap' went to Daren Thompson who was only three seconds slower than his predicted finish. He beat Tahir Yasin by a single second.