Harriers Boxing Day Handicap 2025

  • Date Fri 26th December 2025
  • Location Saanichton, BC
  • Price Free
  • Races 1 race

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Event summary

Join the excitement at the 26th Annual Harriers Boxing Day Handicap on Friday, December 26, 2025, in beautiful Central Saanich, Capital. This festive running event features a unique staggered start, allowing participants of all skill levels to compete for quirky prizes in a fun and friendly atmosphere. Runners can choose between a challenging 10-mile double out-and-back route or a single lap 5-mile option, with both courses showcasing the scenic country roads of the area. For those looking for a different experience, a trail run through nearby parks offers a steep climb to a stunning lookout.

Competitors will take off starting around 10:00 a.m., with the goal of finishing before noon. This handicap race levels the playing field, ensuring that everyone has a fair shot at victory. Not only is participation free, but almost every runner will walk away with a prize! A delightful post-race brunch will follow, providing a perfect opportunity to socialize and celebrate the holiday spirit with fellow runners. Mark your calendars for this unforgettable event that promises to be a highlight of your Boxing Day!

Organiser's Description

Harriers Boxing Day 10-Mile Handicap Run26th AnnualFriday, December 26, Boxing Day, 2024. First runners start around 10:00 a.m.Race InformationThis amazing, staggered start handicap race where anyone can win often attracts an international field competing for fame and fortune. Recent races have seen entrants from as far away as Courtenay BC, Calgary AB, Toronto ON, Richland WA, SE Asia and London England. Ok, it's just people here for the holidays and some locals competing for quirky prizes and socializing after, but it's a club tradition centered at our founding and namesake venue. Oh, and it's free and almost everyone gets a prize!As well as the classic 10-Mile double out & back, there is a single lap 5-Mile option, and for those wanting less road a more Trail option through nearby parks with a significant steep climb to the summit lookoutThere may also be a concurrent dog-friendly social run / walk on the trails of nearby Mt Newton.Date/TimeAlways on December 26th, Boxing Day which in 2025 is a Friday. Handicapped start times are determined by your best race or run performance in the last two years. The idea being everyone should finish at about the same time. First runners will start at about 10:00 a.m. and all runners should finish before noon. Registrants will be informed of their exact handicapped starting time a few days prior to the race. Those at the bottom below from the last few years should give you an idea of the range, while those already assigned for this year are shown here:Assigned Start TimesAssigned and posted in batches, so check back2025 Assigned Start Times as of
Summit Trail
..:.. ....... .......
10 Mile
5 MileLocationPrairie Inn Neighbourhood Pub, 7806 East Saanich Road, Saanichton, BC.Road CourseMainly country roads along a rural valley, somewhat undulating in places. Out-and-back course as follows: Start northbound on East Saanich Road at the Prairie Inn Pub for one block, left onto Wallace for one block, right onto Mt. Newton Cross Road for about 2 miles, left onto West Saanich, approx. 100 metres south on W. Saanich to the turnaround point*, retrace route. Repeat for 10 Mile Handicap. Participants are expected to obey local traffic laws. Run safe!
Map: http://gmap-pedometer.com?r=6767896*A cone may or may not be present on race day, as may signs each mile, and stick flags around the few corners.Accurately measured 10 miles (16.09344 kilometres).Trail CourseA recent option for the Boxing Day Handicap includes undulating trails through Butterfield, Brown's Wood, Haldon and John Dean parks with a significant steep climb to the Mt Newton summit lookout and a more gentle descent down Merrill Harrop.
Map of potential route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38183615
NOTE: Participants are responsible for their own way-finding!About 15km with the first 2.8km and last 5.7km along road, often with an adjacent unpaved path. Don't worry, although the middle trail sections are less than half the total distance they will take more than half your time, especially the significant steep climb to the summit which is about 5.4km in.Race RecordsHandicap: Josephine Hees, 25:59 under handicap time, 1999
Outright: Male: Sean Chester, 54:34, 2011; Female: Lise Wessels, 1:02:15, 2003The perfect tune-up for the Frontrunners Island Race Series! The only organized, accurate run at the classic 10-mile distance on the island (and the first since the Harriers Tower 10-miler in 1992). A chance to burn off some holiday flab. A socially stimulating brunch in the pub follows the run.Entry FeeFreeRegistrationMaximum 60 registrations accepted - first come, first served. Please register online by December 25, giving your name, whether you ran a Vancouver Island Series race in the last 2 years, or your best times from fixed distance races between January 1st, last year and May 1st, this year, or failing any of those your estimated time for say 10km. While entries are accepted on Christmas Day until 10pm, a time penalty may be assessed. No day-of-race entries accepted, but you can still show up day-of-race, run 5 or 10 miles socially, and join us for brunch. CategoriesNone – it's a handicap race, the winner's the winner.No Frills / No WhiningThere will be limited food and/or fluid at the finish, possibly including water, mini oranges, candy canes, and leftover Christmas cookies. Be prepared by bringing your own refreshments / contributions and a change of clothes. The (family friendly) pub normally opens at 11:00, but apparently will again be closed on Boxing Day due to staffing issues. We may adjourn elsewhere. Whining is completely forbidden, and any suspected instance puts the whiner at risk of being assessed penalty minutes.Award PresentationsThere may be a trophy or plaque for the winner. If so, it will be awarded immediately at the finish. There may also be random draw prizes of questionably useful items. Feel free to contribute re-giftings.SupportThere will be one fluid stop, at the start/halfway/finish point. This also provides an opportunity to shed clothing at the half-way point.2021 ReportThank you to everyone who registered for, and congratulations to those who braved the elements and conditions to contest the Harrier’s 23rd Annual Boxing Day Handicap, and to Joseph for photographing.While numbers were smaller for various reasons, it will definitely be memorable. Sure it was cold (-6Β°C) with some wind (NE 10 kmh with gusts to 25) by the Prairie Inn making standing around uncomfortable, and the roads & paths were covered with a few centimetres of fresh snow making it tricky underfoot & slowing your pace, but it was mostly calm & quiet along the route with classic wintry views of dusted trees & bucolic valley.One person signed up for the Trail Summit Handicap, but being only marginally familiar with some of the trails, wisely switched to the road.There were just two finishers in the classic double lap 10-Mile event, and it was an exciting finish with Jeff Hunt who started seven minutes behind, expending himself to close the gap up the final hill and Mark Seebaran just able to hold him off along the ending sidewalks to take the placement win by two seconds. Assigned start handicapping at its best.Jeff’s running time of 1:14:40 was best though, and his average pace of 4:38 was the fastest overall.The single lap 5-Mile event had 3 starters and 4 finishers as Christopher Kelsall who started the double lap was "one and done” after a mid-lap β€œfull chester” personal break. The actual finish spread among the four was almost 33 minutes as no one started at their assigned time totally defeating the intention of the handicap race. Some finished before the recorder was back, and left so early they missed the prizes. All were assessed some penalty minutes. After adjusting for the start offsets and penalties the spread of placement times was down to a more respectable 4 minutes and 53 seconds.Laura Wyatt was the adjusted placement winner of the 5-Mile Half Handicap, with a 1:44 lead over runner-up Buddy Bhandar.Race director Gary Duncan has the best performance of the day at 67% and the best 5-Mile race running time of 40:28 which he partially attributes to removal of extra layers at the start and YakTrax underfoot.Laura was also the overall top placer finishing just over 6-minutes off target. The top three 5-Mile placers, even with their penalty assessments were all ahead of the 10-Milers overall which is likely more a reflection of how much the conditions slowed everyone than of their actual handicapped performance.ResultsComputer results may be posted on the internet the day of the race or in the days following.2024 by placing & time β—Š 2023 by placing & time β—Š 2022 by placing & time and photos β—Š 2021 Results β—Š 2018 by placing & time β—Š 2017 by placing & time β—Š 2016 by placing & time β—Š 2015 by placing & time β—Š 2014 by placing & time β—Š 2013 by placing & time β—Š 2012 β—Š 2011 β—Š 2010 β—Š 2009 β—Š 2008 β—Š 2007 β—Š 2006 β—Š 2005 β—Š 2004 β—Š 2003 β—Š 2002 β—Š 2001 β—Š 2000 β—Š 1999Some results may be missing. This may or may not be rectified eventually. Just remember: no-frills race.InformationContact: [email protected] – Race Director Gary Duncan continuing along the traditions of long-time director Sylvan SmythPast Assigned Start Times2024 Assigned Start Times as of Wed Dec 25th 9:30pm
Summit Trail
10:20 Christy Gain, Sonja Yli-Kahila
10:34 Shane Ruljancich
10 Mile
10:17 Magdalena Carter
10:28 Angela Maclean, Steve Hallam
10:30 Mark Seebaran
10:32 Tim Hatfield
10:33 Aengus Bates
10:34 Harrison Elliott, Sean Mitchell
10:35 Mark Ritchie
5 Mile
10:52 Buddy Bhandar
11:02 Naomi Russell
11:03 Lori Morgan
11:04 Sean Poynton
11:05 Nathaniel Roberts, Gary Duncan
11:07 Oskar Poynton
11:08 Feleisha Reiter2023 Assigned Start Times
10 Mile
9:59 Barry Roscoe
10:03 Alison Dickson
10:09 Shaun Humpreys
10:20 Nathaniel Roberts
10:22 Mercury Beaton
10:25 Christy Gain, Gonzalo Espinosa, Angela MacLean
10:27 Steve Hallam
10:30 Sean Mitchell
10:31 Mark Seebaran
10:32 Tim Hatfield
10:33 Harrison Elliott
10:38 Harrison Ellis
10:42 Keith Mills
10:47 Andrew Russell
5 Mile
10:29 Christine Thate
10:46 Jane McDonald
10:50 Susan Chambers
10:54 Kristin Schnurr, Joy Croll, Nadine Stofer
10:57 Karey Billyard, Aaron Brody
10:58 Stan Budden
11:00 Jeffrey Smith
11:02 Yuki Otsubo2022 Assigned Start Times
10 Mile
10:00 Ignacio Bettiol EreΓ±o
10:10 Lisa Moody
10:16 Steve Hallam
10:19 Paul Yorke
10:25 Angela MacLean
10:31 Mark Seebaran
10:32 Sean Mitchell
10:36 John Atkinson
5 Mile
10:29 Noah Ghourani
10:29 Catherine Ghourani
10:53 Susan Chambers
10:55 Buddy Bhandar
10:58 Edith Price
11:00 Karl Maier
11:00 Evan Maier
11:01 Jeffrey Smith
11:01 Tim Green
11:03 David Hoskins
11:06 Gary Duncan2021 Assigned Start Times
10 Mile
10:17 Paul Yorke
10:22 Christopher Kelsall
10:26 Angela MacLean
10:28 Mark Seebaran
10:30 Marao Akoar
10:34 Sean Mitchell
10:35 Jeff Hunt
5 Mile
10:52 Laura Wyatt
10:53 Marcia Stromsmoe
11:03 Buddy Bhandar
11:06 Gary Duncan2019 Assigned Start Times
10 Mile
09:43 Lisa MacMain
09:58 Gordon Quigley
10:05 Antonia Frappell
10:06 Tracy Voorthuyzen
10:07 Joanne Frappell
10:08 Jack Petrie
10:09 Dawn Connolly
10:10 Shannon Szymczakowski
10:12 Angie Johnson
10:13 Janet Green
10:20 Gregory Caws
10:22 Dan Willis
10:23 Richard Frappell
10:24 David Lariviere
10:25 Kipp Weisbrod
10:27 Angela MacLean
10:28 Matthias Schoeck
10:29 Reg Willick, Robert Grant, Jeff Beddoes
10:30 Emily Taylor
10:32 Randy Humble
10:33 John Catterall
10:34 Lance Watson, Gary Duncan
10:36 Tom Rushton
10:39 Chris Albertson, Greg Broadworth
10:43 Shane Ruljancich
10:46 Sean Chester
5 Mile
10:49 Gwen Cole
10:52 Catherine Caws
10:55 Colleen Vanderheide, Marcia Stromsmore
10:58 Megan Pomper
11:00 Emma Rutledge
11:01 Graham Fisher
11:02 Kay Van Akker
11:08 Gary Duncan
11:13 Shane Ruljancich2018 Assigned Start Times
10:00 Antonia Frappell
10:01 Joanne Frappell
10:11 Tracy Voorthuyzen
10:17 Christopher Kelsall, Lindsey Fraser
10:20 Franck Germain
10:28 Matthias Schoeck, Jeff Beddoes
10:29 Michael Richards
10:35 Jeremy Lawrence
10:36 William Boothman
10:40 Chris Callendar
10:43 Shane Ruljancich2017 Assigned Start Times
09:44 Jill Cowan
10:05 Paul Hoffman
10:08 Bernice Smith
10:11 Janet Green, Paul Kaufman, Peter Jensen
10:21 Keith Scott-Polson
10:22 Adam Hill
10:23 Robert Grant
10:24 Mark Shier
10:26 Jeff Beddoes, Luis GonzΓ‘lez
10:27 Graham Fisher, Pat Peron
10:28 Franck Germain, Denisse Justiniano
10:32 Joseph Camilleri
10:33 Chris Shier
10:34 Gary Duncan
10:37 Chris Albertson, Lyndon Clazie
10:41 Chris Callendar
10:44 Shane Ruljancich
5 Mile
11:00 Laura Wyatt, Dawn Wilson2016 Assigned Start Times
09:57 Maryse Poulin
10:11 Mike Ellis
10:13 Tina Lulic, Marcia Stromsmoe
10:21 Bob Janicki
10:24 SeΓ‘n Finucane
10:25 Melody Haddow, Mark Shier
10:27 Jeff Beddoes
10:28 Graham Fisher
10:30 Graham Hill
10:33 Buddy Bhandar
10:35 William Boothman
10:37 Gary Duncan
10:38 Patricia Roney
10:40 Mike Angrove
10:41 Chris Callendar
10:42 Matthew Winkler
10:43 Shane Ruljancich2015 Assigned Start Times
10:07 Bernice Smith
10:10 Ian Davis
10:17 Trish Schiedel
10:18 Amy Dearden, Robert Grant
10:21 Vanessa Le
10:24 Mark Shier
10:27 Frank Towler, Anthony Jeffrey, Jeff Beddoes
10:28 Graham Fisher
10:33 Steve Schiedel, Mr. Dearden
10:34 Graham Hill
10:35 William Boothman, Michael Lawless
10:36 Chris Albertson
10:38 Arif Merali, Gary Duncan
10:44 Shane Ruljancich

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  • Boxing Day Handicap

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Location

Prairie Inn Neighbourhood Pub, East Saanich Road, Saanichton, BC, Canada

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