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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 141st New Year Sprint was won by Daniel Paxton of Hawick. The event was held at Musselburgh Racecourse, 6 miles east of Edinburgh, on Monday 28th December and Tuesday 29th December 2009.
| | The 110 metres New Year Sprint, with a £4000 first prize, was supported by 90 metres open, 90 metres veterans, 90 metres youths, 110 metres backmarkers invitation handicap. All events feature a handicap starting system. The prestigious 110m British Championship was also held at the meeting. |
| Click here for the meeting report with photos. |
The Open events are 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.
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| 141st New Year Sprint winner Daniel Paxton of Hawick.
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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.
140th 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 2008: 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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| 24 Mar 2010 |
Look back at the sprints of summer 2009 with the Sprint Album.
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| 8 Feb 2010 |
Meeting report now has photos, Sprint Final in Pictures and Sprint Final Video Clip now published.
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| Updates for 141st New Year Sprint complete. |
| 3 Jan 2010 |
See photo-finish of the New Year Sprint.
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Read promoter's statement regarding cancelled events.
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| 1 Jan 2010 |
Read final report of New Year Sprint meeting.
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| 31 Dec 2009 |
Read report of New Year Sprint meeting.
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| 29 Dec 2009 |
Daniel Paxton of Hawick storms to sensational victory in 141st New Year Sprint.
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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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It was "business as usual" at Musselburgh Racecourse with a good crowd enjoying high quality sprinting and nail-biting finishes over 2 days despite near arctic conditions.
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| 28 Dec 2009 |
Jack Beattie of Rosyth 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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Craig Fleming of Greenock wins British 110 metres Championship.
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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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