Almost Athletes Handicap Race Series 2025

Yes it’s back for another year!

It’s a series of 4 road races over 3 laps totalling 4.5 miles at 7pm from Old Pats on Monday evenings on 12th May, 2nd June, 23rd June and 14th July. There will be no club track sessions on these evenings so you might as well run the handicap races!

You can take part in as many races as you like. You score points based on your finishing position and the winner of each race wins a prize. And each runner’s best 3 scores determines who wins the prestigious Shield! Absolutely anyone can win this! It’s fabulous fun for you being chased by faster runners and chasing slower runners and for me watching you all get closer together!

To take part you need to submit a recent race (one where you put some effort in) preferably a flat road race over a similar distance (eg 5k, 5 miles and 10k) to almostathletes@hotmail.co.uk – but Mitch can convert any distance into a predicted handicap race time. We will only use parkrun times this year if you can persuade Mitch it’s one where you put some effort in. For those who took part last year I shall be checking your submitted race time against your average handicap race time last year to ensure the first race this year is as fair as possible for everyone.  See you there!

The races will be over 3 laps, totaling 4.5 miles each race, and will take all start from Old Pats at 7pm on the following Mondays:

12th May,   2nd June,   23rd June   and 14th July.

How it works

As explained, competitors have to submit a recent race time, which is used as a handicap – so the slower runners start first, and faster runners start later. The faster you are, the more time you have added to slow you down. The theory is that the amount of time that is added varies so that all runners should cross the finish line at exactly the same time…therefore, the runner who puts in the most effort is the one who wins!

Points are awarded depending upon your finish position, and a runner needs to compete in at least three of the four races to be eligible for the championship. There are prizes at stake for the winner of each race and the overall winner! There will be time penalties for those finishing in the top five places – this is to help mix things up. If you can only make one or two races, still come along as it a fun event and good for learning your race craft.

You can take part in as many races as you like.  And the runner with the best 3 scores wins the prestigious Shield! Absolutely anyone can win this! It’s fabulous fun for you being chased by faster runners and chasing slower runners and for Mitch watching you all get closer together!

 

How do you work out the handicaps?

Using a well accepted formula [T2 = T1 x (D2/D1)1.06] you can calculate, given a recent race time, an APPROXIMATE time for any other race distance, in this instance 7.2km.

This formula is used to calculate a handicap for those who have not previously taken part. Once they have an ACTUAL race time that will be used.

More information on the calculations.

Where possible, new series handicap times for individuals will be based upon an average time from the previous year. This may prove to be an advantage…or a disadvantage!

Handicap Race Rules

Although this is a ‘fun’ event, we do have some rules to ensure that it is fair for all, as there are prizes and awards at stake at the end of the series

Handicap Race Rules

 

Handicap Race Route

As mentioned the race covers three laps and is based at ‘Old Pats’. Whilst we will endeavour to mark the race route with chalk arrows, it is the responsibility of the runner to familiarise themselves with the race route. Click on the pdf icon below for details of the race route.

Handicap race route