158th New Year Sprint

Race Entries close on 29th November 2026.  

The New Year Sprint is a handicapped race for professional and amateur athletes. Athletes of all standards and ages have competed for this historic title and event with unbroken continuity since its inception in 1870. The New Year Sprint is the blue riband event on the professional circuit calendar and the final will be held for the 158th  time at Musselburgh Racecourse and the heats will be held at Dalkeith High School on the 31st of December 2026

• The  minimum age  for all runner s is 16 on 1st January 2027

110m Open Handicap -  New Year Sprint winners sash and medal

• 1st- £8000, 2nd- £800, 3rd- £300, 4th- £250, 5th- £200, £6th- £175, 7th- £150, 8th- £125

All heat winners will win £100!!

For the New Year Sprint, Scottish Athletics rules will apply. A judge or stewards decision will be final. The only change from Scottish Athletics rules where false starts are concerned will be a 1 METRE penalty or “pull” in the heats and Cross ties but if a runner is in the final and false starts they will be disqualified. 

DRUG TESTING will be carried out randomly on the day. 

Handicapping;
All athletes will be given a handicap for the race.  The handicap is determined by the “Handicapper”. 
The handicapper will determine each athletes mark taking account of all relevant factors including an athletes age , ability, gender, experience and all past performances prior to competing at the New Year Sprint. This year there will be a limit to the handicap of 17.5 metres. It’s very important that all PBs and notable results submitted are true and current so that marks can be allocated to athletes fairly. In the event of an athlete submitting a false time or failing to  instruct the handicapper of new PBs once the entries have closed, he has the right to change the athletes mark accordingly on the day and at any time on the day  or disqualify the athlete under extreme circumstances.