37 athletes competed in the 2020 edition of the traditional ESM Boxing Day Handicap which has been an annual club event since 1924.
Due to Tier 4 Covid-19 rules in place in London the race took place virtually, with 30 runners competing at separate times over a course in Perivale and another 7 on their own courses around the UK.
Handicaps were pre-determined with runners estimating their current expected 5k time. In total 17 ran under their handicap, impressive running for a cold, damp and solo Boxing Day race! Clearly the lack of races in 2020 hasn’t stopped our athletes getting the miles in this year.
Congratulations to Gary Stringer who took the overall victory in the Handicap race. Denise English was first woman and Elias Ahmed ran the fastest time, 16.30 for the 5.25km 2 lap course.
Junior athletes Nicola & Rosie Hewitt completed one lap, both running just outside 11 minutes.
Please find photos and results of the event below.
![](https://esm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/133695896_10159204777470086_7976560331731155341_n.jpg)