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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 143rd New Year Sprint was won by Graeme Lister of Kirkcaldy. |
| The New Year Sprint was held at Musselburgh Racecourse, 6 miles east of Edinburgh, on Saturday 31st December 2011 and Sunday 1st January 2012. |
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143rd New Year Sprint winner Graeme Lister of Kirkcaldy.
Photo: Grossick Racing Photography. |
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| The 110 metres New Year Sprint, with a £4000 first prize, was supported by 90 metres open, 90 metres veterans, 90 metres youths, 60 metres open, 60 metres youths age under 13 and 60 metres youths age under 16 events. |
| The Open events were open to men and women aged 16 years and over, whether professional or amateur. Amateurs may keep any prize money won. Youths events, which also have cash prizes, are open to girls and boys who must be at least 10 years and less than 16 years old. |
Click here for more details of the New Year Sprint meeting.
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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.
142nd New Year 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 2009: Sprint highlights from Games in the Borders and Highlands.
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The New Year Sprint meeting is a fixture of the open athletics circuit organised under the rules of the Scottish Highland Games Association (SHGA). 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 British Athletics and Scottish Athletics 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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| 9 Jan 2012 |
Web site updates for 143rd New Year Sprint complete. See photo-finishes for New Year Sprint and 90 metres Open, link to video of New Year Sprint final and meeting report covering all stages of New Year Sprint and all event finals.
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| 2 Jan 2012 |
Click here for photos of the 143rd New Year Sprint.
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| 1 Jan 2012 |
Graeme Lister of Kirkcaldy sweeps to convincing victory in 143rd New Year Sprint. Seb Harrison of Jedburgh AC clinches second place from William Martin of Glenrothes.
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Click here for full results of New Year Sprint.
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Click here for results of all finals.
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| 31 Dec 2011 |
Charlie Carstairs of Lasswade wins 90 metres Open in tight finish.
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Graeme Lister of Kirkcaldy clear favourite to win New Year Sprint after running fastest heat by far.
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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 of meeting.
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Click here for results of all heats of New Year Sprint.
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| 12 Dec 2011 |
Heats published for:
• 90 metres Open Handicap
• 60 metres Youths Handicap age 10 and under 13
• 60 metres Youths Handicap age 13 and under 16
• 90 metres Youths Handicap.
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| 1 Dec 2011 |
Click here for the draw for the 143rd New Year Sprint.
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| 25 Nov 2011 |
Starts for the 143rd New Year Sprint published.
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| 1 Nov 2011 |
Entries for 143rd New Year Sprint meeting now closed.
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| 6 Oct 2011 |
Click here for details of the 143rd New Year Sprint meeting including entry form.
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| Close finish in the New Year Sprint final. Photo by John Grossick Photography.
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| Crowd at the New Year Sprint.
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