Handicap Race Series
Steve Robinson-Day is the Handicap Manager for KADS and is responsible for organising a series of races exclusively for KADS members during the summer.
Below he explains all about the race series for 2020.
Why are they called handicap races?
Well, unlike a normal race, each club member is given their own start time depending upon their expected pace. Slower runners are given a head start with the fastest runner starting last. In a perfectly handicapped race, all runners would cross the finish line simultaneously. In the handicap race, men and women compete against each other.
The reality is of course a little different but a well handicapped race will see most runners arriving in a cluster covering a few minutes.
Who can enter?
Any KAD member is eligible to enter as long as they have provided me with a predicted time for either 5 miles or 5km at race pace at least one week before the race so I can calculate start times. Your prediction should be based on current form. 5km times are extrapolated up to 5 miles with a bit of extra time added to compensate for the greater distance.
How are the winners decided?
Each runner is awarded points depending upon where they finish. First person back receives 1 point. If 50 take part, the last person to cross the line gets 50 points. If you run all 5 races, your best 4 scores counts. If you run 4, all count. The person with the lowest aggregate score at the end of the series wins.
What if I can only make 3 races of the series on the actual night?
Everyone is entitled to play one joker. Your joker is basically a virtual run of the course. There are certain stipulations. You must run the course in the week before the race you miss and provide evidence, (screenshot of your Strava, Garmin etc) to me as the handicap manager by email or messenger. The 5 miles you run must be over exactly the same course and arrive with me at least 24 hours before the race. Your time will be made known to all the participants on the night.
What are the prizes?
First of all there are spot prizes on the night for the first person back. More importantly there are also trophies for the series winners for both singles and pairs. To be in with a shout of a trophy, the winners must have participated in at least 4 out of the 5 races held in the season (including one virtual run if its needed). Trophies are awarded at the awards night in the following March. There are trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the singles and 1st and 2nd in the pairs.
When and where are the races held?
Over the summer. The first is on April 1st, the last on September 2nd. All races are on a Wednesday and are timed to avoid other races such as the BDL and the AAAs. The first runner always goes off at 7pm with the last runner going off sometime around 7.30.
All races start near Watnall Farm Shop on Long Lane. All of the race is run on tarmac on quiet country lanes without a footpath. It is an out and back race of 5 miles so you get to see who is chasing you down!!
Why should I take part?
First of all if the handicap system works then everyone is in with a chance of winning as long as you complete at least 4 races. Secondly because it's great fun and third because it's a good opportunity to train for summer league races which are over a similar distance.
Sounds great, what do I need to do to enter?
You need to send your predicted 5 mile or 5K race time to me by the 24th March. Or if you cant make the first race, by the 6th May in time for the second race. I will carry out some Strava stalking in order to verify your predicted times. If you don't have a 5 mile time as yet, then please provide me your most recent time at Forest Rec Parkrun. If you don't already follow me on Strava please do so. If you're not on Strava and don't have a Parkrun time at Forest Rec then we'll need to sort out another way of giving you a time. Whatever happens, everyone who wants to enter the first race will know their start time by April 1st.
If it all still sounds a bit confusing then contact me on messenger or via email or see me on a club night in March.
Steve
Below he explains all about the race series for 2020.
Why are they called handicap races?
Well, unlike a normal race, each club member is given their own start time depending upon their expected pace. Slower runners are given a head start with the fastest runner starting last. In a perfectly handicapped race, all runners would cross the finish line simultaneously. In the handicap race, men and women compete against each other.
The reality is of course a little different but a well handicapped race will see most runners arriving in a cluster covering a few minutes.
Who can enter?
Any KAD member is eligible to enter as long as they have provided me with a predicted time for either 5 miles or 5km at race pace at least one week before the race so I can calculate start times. Your prediction should be based on current form. 5km times are extrapolated up to 5 miles with a bit of extra time added to compensate for the greater distance.
How are the winners decided?
Each runner is awarded points depending upon where they finish. First person back receives 1 point. If 50 take part, the last person to cross the line gets 50 points. If you run all 5 races, your best 4 scores counts. If you run 4, all count. The person with the lowest aggregate score at the end of the series wins.
What if I can only make 3 races of the series on the actual night?
Everyone is entitled to play one joker. Your joker is basically a virtual run of the course. There are certain stipulations. You must run the course in the week before the race you miss and provide evidence, (screenshot of your Strava, Garmin etc) to me as the handicap manager by email or messenger. The 5 miles you run must be over exactly the same course and arrive with me at least 24 hours before the race. Your time will be made known to all the participants on the night.
What are the prizes?
First of all there are spot prizes on the night for the first person back. More importantly there are also trophies for the series winners for both singles and pairs. To be in with a shout of a trophy, the winners must have participated in at least 4 out of the 5 races held in the season (including one virtual run if its needed). Trophies are awarded at the awards night in the following March. There are trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the singles and 1st and 2nd in the pairs.
When and where are the races held?
Over the summer. The first is on April 1st, the last on September 2nd. All races are on a Wednesday and are timed to avoid other races such as the BDL and the AAAs. The first runner always goes off at 7pm with the last runner going off sometime around 7.30.
All races start near Watnall Farm Shop on Long Lane. All of the race is run on tarmac on quiet country lanes without a footpath. It is an out and back race of 5 miles so you get to see who is chasing you down!!
Why should I take part?
First of all if the handicap system works then everyone is in with a chance of winning as long as you complete at least 4 races. Secondly because it's great fun and third because it's a good opportunity to train for summer league races which are over a similar distance.
Sounds great, what do I need to do to enter?
You need to send your predicted 5 mile or 5K race time to me by the 24th March. Or if you cant make the first race, by the 6th May in time for the second race. I will carry out some Strava stalking in order to verify your predicted times. If you don't have a 5 mile time as yet, then please provide me your most recent time at Forest Rec Parkrun. If you don't already follow me on Strava please do so. If you're not on Strava and don't have a Parkrun time at Forest Rec then we'll need to sort out another way of giving you a time. Whatever happens, everyone who wants to enter the first race will know their start time by April 1st.
If it all still sounds a bit confusing then contact me on messenger or via email or see me on a club night in March.
Steve