The 2024 Xmas Handicap took place today Sunday 15th December at our location for the last few years at GSCs Auldhouse base in Thornliebank.

Although not as many participating as we’ve come to expect, there were still over 60 athletes – and even a few who had been busy yesterday either running Cross Country in the West District League in the hills at Linn Park on Saturday or on the Track at the Emirates for the GAA U12 Fun Day or the Open Graded pm – who put their foot on the handicap start line .

Some of the youngest were also at the Awards Night Disco on Friday at GHA

The handicap was a flat fast course round the pitches at Auldhouse and many new athletes were enjoying a great handicap and success as coaches had no idea of their form.

Did we get the handicaps all spot on to enable the blanket finish promised to us all for years by Dudley Walker. Did we panic thinking it was all wrong ? Did we have sleepless nights worrying about it ? Ask any coach their perspective but not yet.

In any event it was an enjoyable event we believe for all of us. Even the disappointed went home with a different present from the Santa sack than the one they brought and Abi Reid did a stunning job of keeping them all in order.

Results and photos below

Huge thanks go to the catering team led by Caroline Munro with stalwart assistance from Lesley Campbell ,Fiona Caldow and Jenny Simpson who managed to get the club card reader going so that we could extract even more money from parents for this year’s charity- Prince&Princess of Wales Hospice

The home baking was outstanding The great pots of soup were demolished

Tea Coffee and Hot chocolate consumed by all.

The Results Team were outstanding – despite our last minute entries and changes.

Rowan Wallace drafted in husband , Euan and Son Jack to ensure an extremely efficient operation!! Thanks again Rowan .

Thanks to Danny O Donnell who stewarded and monitored the car parking so we can maybe keep our annual let with GSC. Thanks to GSC & Craig Inglis

Katy Donnelly back from Uni in Edinburgh assisted with the stewarding and all in all we had a great effort from everyone.

All the coaches would like to pay tribute to the athletes coming to run their best even if it is for fun and they didn’t get a medal this year

Thanks to the parents for their Donations and good cheer. Only a few more muddy washes left in 2024 and this one was mild for  XC

We think collectively we raised more than £500

Finally we’d like to thank Craig Shennan our USA based GB representing athlete who did us the honour of handing out the medals and as you will see in the images also dispensing top tips to U11 admirers and good chat to his previous teammates

Thanks very much Craig.

Happy Christmas to all