The Sprint
An introduction to Scotland’s historic professional footrace.
What is the New Year Sprint?
The New Year Sprint began at Powderhall, Edinburgh in 1870 and is a handicapped sprint race which is the blue riband event in the professional athletics calendar, with athletes starting from different marks according to their assigned handicap. This format is designed to bring the field together and create competitive racing.
The event has continued through different venues and eras and remains a distinctive part of Scottish athletics. The next meeting is the 158th New Year Sprint at Musselburgh Racecourse on 1 January 2027.
Learn about handicaps and the handicapper →