The latest 2023 Handicap Table here

Handicap Recorded Times from 1986 to Present here, (Note this is a compressed zip file)

Handicap Points from 1995 to Present here.

Many thanks to all the various custodians of the Handicap results over the years. Their hard work and record-keeping has allowed the following information to be available for ongoing analysis by club members.

For those interested in understanding how the handicap series has evolved since the creation of Otley AC, please follow this link to the Handicap Timeline.

What is a Handicap?

If you have never run a handicap before, the idea is that the slower runners set off first the fastest off last and hopefully everyone gets to the finish together.

For example if the handicap distance is 5k and a runner ‘A’ usually runs a 5k in about 30 minutes, a second runner ‘B’ about 16 minutes. Then at the start of the handicap runner A starts 14 minutes before runner B. If both run to form the runner B catches A at the finish line.

Do I need to enter, Do I need to do anything? No, just turn up at the start and I will sort out a start time for you on the morning/evening.

.. and the Eric Smith Trophy?

The Eric Smith handicap trophy is awarded to the person with the most points accululated over the montly handicap races. Points are awarded at each handicap the winner gaining the number of points based on how many do the handicap.

Benefits of the Handicap series..

• 12 free low key races for the year.
• Good for motivation. pretty much everyone who has finished near the top of the handicap trophy table has ended the year fitter and faster then they were in January.
• Everybody has the chance to finish first.
• Run different routes to the norm.
• A great social get together. meeting folk who aren’t part of your training group.
• At most of the handicaps there’s post race refreshment in the local pub.
• If you have a bad run or I get your handicap wrong, never… then for sure you’ll have an easier handicap at the next one.
• A chance to give the handicapper some abuse about your handicap
• It’s all a bit of fun nobody takes it too seriously.

The future race venues and dates are on the upcoming events section of the website on the home page.

If you are unable to make a handicap race, you can run the route in the preceding 7 days, letting me, (Andrew Robertshaw), by email : androbertshaw@gmail.com before you run and afterwards with some evidence of your time, a link to your strava, garmin, or even just a photo of your stop watch will be acceptable.

Handicap Routes

Calverley	Danefield	East Keswick
Eccup	Eccup Alwoodley Lane	Eccup New Inn
Esholt	Fewston	Harewood
Ken Dixon	Leathley	Square & Compass
Thruscross Reservoir (anti-clockwise)	Weeton	Wellington Inn, Darley (3 Laps)
Weston Lane	Wharfemeadows

Eric Smith Handicap Podium places for the 28 years of the monthly handicap races.

Year	1st	2nd	3rd
2022	Rachel Michael	Sarah Belt-McMullin	Bob Payne
2021	Ann Powell	Mick Jeffrey	Carol Armitstead
2020	Antonio Cardinale	Nick Hodgkinson	David Fox
2019	Lee Gumbrell	Bob Payne	Paul Clifford
2018	Bob Payne	Tom Hannah	Andy Webster
2017	Rob Fearnley	Laura Hind	Antonio Cardinale
2016	David Cattanach	Tom Lynch	Tom Pomfrett
2015	Tom Lynch	Dominic Egan	Chris Tomlinson
2014	Nicola Lee	Sean O’Halloran	Charlotte Tomlinson
2013	Ursula McGouran	Dominic Egan	Caron Ralph
2012	Billy Rayner	Richard Hamer	Tom Hannah
2011	Caron Ralph & Matt Broughton	Ben Cousen
2010	Graham Stead	John Armitstead	Billy Rayner
2009	Billy Rayner	Neil Charlton	Ian Fisher
2008	John Dade	Zack Whitehead	Paul Clifford
2007	Mick Jeffrey	Antonio Cardinale	Michael Pickard
2006	Mark Clifford	Mark Blagg	Zack Whitehead
2005	Paul Clifford	Phil Robinson	Tom Hannah
2004	Kath Robertshaw	David Cattanach	David Hainsworth
2003	Graham Stead	Paul Clifford	Malcolm Court
2002	Phil Robinson	Kath Robertshaw	Carl Walsh
2001	Antonio Cardinale	Graham Stead	Tom Hannah
2000	Tony Allen	David Hainsworth	David Fox
1999	John Straiton & Graham Stead	Phil Robinson
1998	Ian Fisher	Chris Carver	Tom Hannah
1997	David Fox	Phil Robinson	Steve Haywood
1996	John Straiton	Paul Cubbon	David Hainsworth
1995	Tony Allen	Tom Hannah	Phil Robinson