Matharu takes first place at Barrow’s Boxing Day event

TWO HUNDRED runners took part in the annual Barrow Runners Boxing Day handicap race with Oliver Matharu taking victory over the six mile course in a time of 33:21.

The runner-up was Mark Lambell in 35:09, with Mick Kingsbury third in 36:19. The first woman home was international triathlete Nikki Bartlett in 37:42, with Gemma Hillier-Moses in 38:34 and Amber Lester third in 39:38.

Race director Andrew Unitt said: “The race was run in torrential rain and a cold wind and many of the runners maintained the tradition of wearing fancy dress despite the conditions – all very wet and soggy by the end of the race.

“Oliver Matharu from Holme Pierrepont won in 33:21 – as the runner with the highest handicap he had the novel experience of starting last and chasing all the runners in front of him. The first woman home was international triathlete Nikki Bartlett in 37:42.”

■ First woman home Nikki Bartlett. Picture by Mehul Vaitha at www.mehulvaitha.com

■ Keeping dry before the start. Picture by Mehul Vaitha at www.mehulvaitha.com

■ Toni Briggs (177) Katie Etoe (172) Hannah Cheyney (175). Picture by Mehul Vaitha at www.mehulvaitha.com

■ Winner Oliver Matharu.com Picture by Mehul Vaitha at www.mehulvaitha.

■ Lewis Moses. Picture by Mehul Vaitha at www.mehulvaitha.com

■ Joy Brown (197) Laurie Akroyd (198). Picture by Mehul Vaitha at www.mehulvaitha.com

■ Claire Dennison (149) and Keith Dennison (137). Picture by Mehul Vaitha at www.mehulvaitha.com

■ Nikki Reeves (61) and Becki Moult (69). Picture by Mehul Vaitha at www.mehulvaitha.com

■ Dean Clarke. Picture by Mehul Vaitha at www.mehulvaitha.com

■ Louise Haworth. Picture by Mehul Vaitha at www.mehulvaitha.com

■ Cheika Kennedy. Picture by Mehul Vaitha at www.mehulvaitha.com

■ Andrea Winkless. Picture by Mehul Vaitha at www.mehulvaitha.com