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The New Year Sprint is the most enduring open athletics event in the UK. A handicap race held over 110 metres, the Sprint has been staged in Scotland on or around New Year's Day annually since 1870. Competitors, both amateur and professional, vie for prize money totalling over eight thousand pounds.
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| The 2008 and 139th New Year Sprint was won by 16 year old Craig Robertson of Gala. The event was held at Musselburgh Racecourse, 6 miles east of Edinburgh, on Friday 28th December and Saturday 29th December 2007.
| | The 110 metres New Year Sprint, with a £4000 first prize, was supported by 90 metres Open, 1600 metres Open, 90 metres Veterans, 90 metres Youths, 800 metres Youths and 120 yards Backmarkers events. All events feature a handicap starting system. |
Click here for the meeting report with photos.
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2008 New Year Sprint winner Craig Robertson of Gala.
Photo: Grossick Racing Photography.
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The New Year Sprint has attracted top-flight domestic and foreign runners throughout its history. Most recently, 1995 winner Doug Walker, went on to become European 200m champion. 1987 winner Bill Snoddy (U.S.A.) was formerly the world's fastest man (wind assisted) and World Professional Record holder over 120yds, George McNeill, won in 1970. Sprinters such as Willie McFarlane of Glasgow (1930s) and Harry Hutchens of London (1890s), who are considered the finest of their generation, also graced the event with superlative performances.
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The Sprint is more than just a battle between the fleetest of foot. For this event features a handicap starting system designed to ensure that any runner, no matter what their ability, age or sex, has a chance of scooping the big first prize.
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The longevity of the Sprint, the participation of champion runners, the prospect of a front marker clinging on for victory and the determination of all runners competing at the most inhospitable time of year are all ingredients that lend the Sprint an almost mystical air.
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Brief History: Highlights of the Sprint and its characters since 1870.
2007 Sprint: All about last year's meeting.
Past Sprints: Results since 1990; reports, photos, video clips from more recent meetings.
Sprint Search: A powerful mechanism for searching the database of New Year Sprint entrants and results since 1990.
Roll of Honour: Browse or search the complete list of New Year Sprint winners.
Sponsors: Who sponsored which event.
Summer 2007: Sprint highlights from Games in the Borders, Highlands and North of England.
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The New Year Sprint meeting is a fixture of the open athletics circuit organised under the rules of the Scottish Games Association. The circuit includes Highland Games famous for "heavy" events and Lakeland Sports in the North of England. Games in the Scottish Borders are run under the rules of Borders Athletics.
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| The New Year Sprint meeting has been sanctioned by the SAF and BAF for competition by amateur athletes who may keep prize money won. |
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You are visitor number
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since 18th December 1998
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Web site by Sportingworld.co.uk
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| 31 Dec 2007 |
Click here for the Report with photos of the New Year Sprint meeting.
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Video clip of sprint final and sprint final in pictures still to come...
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| 30 Dec 2007 |
Click here for the official photo-finish of the New Year Sprint final.
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| 29 Dec 2007 |
16 year old Craig Robertson of Gala wins 2008 and 139th New Year Sprint in tight finish.
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Click here for full results of New Year Sprint.
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| 28 Dec 2007 |
Ross Prowse of Uphall wins 90m Open.
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Click here for New Year Sprint cross-tie draw.
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Click here for results of all finals held on first day.
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Click here for results of all heats of New Year Sprint.
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| 26 Dec 2007 |
Look back at highlights of the summer sprints.
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| 11 Dec 2007 |
Click here for the 90 metres Open Heats. Click here for the 800 metres Open Handicaps.
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| 8 Dec 2007 |
Click here for the 90 metres Youths Heats. Click here for the 800 metres Youths Handicaps.
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| 3 Dec 2007 |
Click here for the New Year Sprint Heats.
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| Final of the 2004 New Year Sprint.
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| Crowd at the New Year Sprint.
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| Top photo by John Grossick Photography.
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