Hard to believe we are two months into the Spring Handicap and we are now moving on to Livingston for June. In the last week at Beecraigs we had PBs from Stewart S, Alan W, Gregor, John J, Caroline, Gary C, Caitlin, Angela, Phillip, Ted. There may have been some more pacing going on or just tight finishes!

Across the month only 7 of the 70 competitors ran faster than their handicap time, proving what a tough course Beecraigs is. It is interesting that not all those who voted for the third hardest Parkrun in Scotland, Beecriags, actually ran there in May, Owen and James have you any comments?

Alan K was the only one to go sub 20 mins, he beat his handicap by an impressive 165 secs and claimed the maximum 200 points. Stewart H claimed 198 points with a net time of -44 seconds. Matthew D was next with a net time of -37 sec and collected 196 points. Alan W and Peter both turned the clock back to record impressive times and claim 194 and 192 points respectively. See the May Net times file for full details.

League Placings have now been updated based on the April and May points, see attached sheet. The June Handicaps are now based on your fastest Parkrun from your last ten. So Sandy, top of the Olympic League, moves from 21:22 down to 20:20 a change of 62 seconds. He now has to give David, 2nd in the Olympic League, 43 secs in the handicap which should make for exciting racing. In fact the Olympic League looks as if it could be really close with Alan K and Jonny generously handicapped compared to last year.

With triple points at stake in June the World League could hardly be any closer with only 6 points covering the top three and the in form Liz only 13 points off the lead. Will having the exam stress lifted put a bounce in the stride of Rory, will leader Claire add a trophy to her recent podium finish at the College 5K or will Alan W have his usual something in reserve for the last effort?

The European League has a run away leader in Matthew. Opponents are hoping that football fixture congestion keeps him away from Parkrun for the month of June. Similarly, only a quarantine of the Fife population will stop Stuart H from romping home in the Commonwealth League.

For many of us the Spring Handicap is not about winning it is about beating our close rivals, for example Ted is only 5 points ahead of Cliff, Phillip is 7 points ahead of Liz (no more pacing for you my boy) Stephanie has a 12 point cushion ahead of Andy, Jude and Emma are currently tied, Kirsten P is only 6 points off a top 3 spot in her League.

In previous years Alan K has had the fastest average time but it looks close this year, In the Ladies section we will have a new fastest time "champion", it looks like either Lesley or Claire.

Remember it is triple points in June, on a Livingston course that has dried out in recent months. So good times are guaranteed no matter what Strava says.