MARK Smith has regained his mantle of being the handicap king with a tactically run race at the Northam Running Club's five kilometre and 2.5km handicapped events around the bridges.
As is the norm before the handicapped events Smith was loudly confident he would have the field scouted in the 5km and with the help of a generous start time he was looking ominous.
Lloyd Reidy was also given a good time and had his sights set on Smith even though he was starting three minutes behind Smith.
Michael Dymnicki would give up a lead of 5:30.
At the start it was on, with Smith trying to put a stamp on the race right at the start.
But Reidy gradually reeled him in and it went right down to the wire in the final 600m turn around leg.
The turnaround helped Smith as he spotted Reidy closing in and changed gears to find just enough left to take out the race for his first win of the season in 22:45 (1:00).
Reidy close behind got second in 22:53 (4:10).
Dymnicki managed 3rd in 23:36(6:30).
The bulk of the starters were in the 2.5km event which saw Simon Northey foxing a Relay for Life knee injury at the start.
With the younger starters at the front it was down to the older brigade to chase down the field.
It looked as though 2km in that young Mason Dymnicki and Campbell Warburton were going to join forces and work the win together, but Northey's knee had loosened up nicely and he worked his way through the field perfectly to coast in for a win with 16:17(5:18).
Nicholas Warburton was the back marker for the 2.5km and starting from an unfamiliar position worked well up the field to fall just short but still claim second spot in 17:09(6:07).
Third spot was shared between Campbell Warburton(2:06) and Mason Dymnicki in 18:24.
Jodie Smith who was possibly handicapped to harshly grabbed the fifth spot in 18:44(3:45).
The next Northam Running Club meet will be another handicapped event over 5km or 2.5km held at Bert Hawke on Thursday the 17/4 at 5:30.
All runners and walkers are welcome.
For more information call Michael on 0417 920 986.
