Nobody likes running the Stag! If they say they do, they are either new or don't try hard enough! Three short flat out laps when you are either being chased down by the people behind, starting so far back you have to unlap yourself or just confused in the middle. It's during the dark damp winter months and Dave always gives you a much harder handicap than you should have because you are ill, injured and haven't trained for a year!

The January race is the epitome of this, as you can also add into the equation the habit breaking Christmas holidays, the over indulgence and the guaranteed cold weather. However, it is during the months of December to February that champions are made or broken for one of the clubs most prestigious and longest standing award.

In the end there twenty people running around the three laps in everyone's least favourite race this January, but only five managed to beat their respective handicaps and two of those were making seasonal debuts! In the end it was Dan Webb, who has not run the Stag since May who led everyone home and correspondingly got a PB by a minute to finish in 17.18, but having missed two, he'll need to continue on that form each month to stand a chance overall.

Finishing behind Dan was new member Paul Wiggins in 17.02, who looks like he can go much faster so keep your eye on him Dave! The big mover of the night though was Steve Orlando who acheived his third consecutive PB and extended his lead at the top of the table to 11 points as second placed Ian Grimshaw finished in the middle of the pack. Fred Watt made Andy Inchley work very hard on the finishing straight to pick up 21 points and move into third overall, whilst three consistent races from Billy Mead and Jordan Clay see them lying in 4^th and 5^th respectively.

Full results standings, history, PB lists and tactics can all be found on the Stag Trophy page. The next race will be Wednesday 2^nd February.