HERC Winter 5km handicap series
Register here: https://sites.google.com/site/herchandicap/handicap-registration
Current Standings, Results and Stats
Points Standings
Current Handicaps
Race 1 Results by Position
Race 1 Results by Time
Background
The club pentathlon competition has proved successful and popular. However we do recognise that it caters mainly for the more competitive club members. Rather than alter a working format, we have implemented an additional series that scores via a handicap system rather than time alone. The idea is that an athletes score is based on a handicap system with the theory being that all runners should finish at the same time (although this is unlikely to be achieved.) Therefore athletes can compete on a level playing field regardless of their ability.
Series Format
The 5k winter handicap series will comprise of six 5k races.
All 6 races will take place over a 5k route.
Race dates are as follows.
Allocation of Athlete Handicap
Handicaps will be allocated to individual athletes by the following means:
Current Standings, Results and Stats
Points Standings
Current Handicaps
Race 1 Results by Position
Race 1 Results by Time
Background
The club pentathlon competition has proved successful and popular. However we do recognise that it caters mainly for the more competitive club members. Rather than alter a working format, we have implemented an additional series that scores via a handicap system rather than time alone. The idea is that an athletes score is based on a handicap system with the theory being that all runners should finish at the same time (although this is unlikely to be achieved.) Therefore athletes can compete on a level playing field regardless of their ability.
Series Format
The 5k winter handicap series will comprise of six 5k races.
All 6 races will take place over a 5k route.
Race dates are as follows.
- Race 1 - 18th December 2014
- Race 2 – 8th January 2015
- Race 3 – 5th February 2015
- Race 4 – 26th February 2015
- Race 5 – 12th March 2015
- Race 6 26th March 2015 (TBC)
Allocation of Athlete Handicap
Handicaps will be allocated to individual athletes by the following means:
- For the first race of the series that an individual athlete competes in, their allocated handicap will be their PB time at any Parkrun or 5km race, in minutes and seconds.
- Where an athlete has not recorded any historical Parkrun or 5km times, a handicap can be allocated by other race distances they have PB times for using the Riegel formula as follows:
- For those that better there previous handicap time, a new handicap time will be allocated for future races.
- Anyone who places 1st, 2nd, or 3rd will receive a loading in accordance with the following: 1st = 1%, 2nd = 0.5% and 3rd = 0.25%. These loadings are aggregated, so that after one win and one 2nd place in any one year, a runner will be receiving a loading of 1.50%. The reasoning for this to make it harder for these runners to keep placing, and to spread the opportunities for placing 1st, 2nd or 3rd around a bit.
- So assuming a runner has a PB of 31:30 and they win the first race in exactly 30 mins, their handicap would change to 30:00 plus they would receive a 1% deduction for winning. 1% of 30 mins is 18 seconds, so the new handicap will be 29:42.
How to Enter
Registration for each event will need to be completed on the following page: https://sites.google.com/site/herchandicap/handicap-registration
It is mandatory that every runner enters prior to the event. Each runner will be given a barcode to allow times and finishing places to be recorded at the end aka parkrun.
Athlete Starting Time / Order
Once all athletes handicap times have been allocated, we start a timer counting down from the runner with the highest handicap and count down to zero, with each competitor starting when the timer counts down to their time.
For example if Kylie has the highest handicap of 42:03 and Jason has the lowest handicap of 18:31, the timer will be set to count down from 42:03. Kylie will start as soon as the timer is started and Jason will start when the timer counts down to 18:31. All other athletes will start when the counter reached their handicap time.
In theory, if everyone matched their PB, everyone would finish at the same time (which would be zero on the timer.) But in practice, that won’t happen, and we should expect the unexpected!
Points Scoring
The first place runner is awarded maximum points based on the number of participants, second place is awarded one less point, third place less two, and so on, the last runner is awarded one point.
Series Scoring
Points are accumulated from a runner's best 4 out of the 6 races in the race series. Trophies are awarded to top 3 ladies and gents overall at the end of the series.
Route
For the first race the route will be 4 laps of Dowds Farm, you can see a detailed overview here:
http://www.fetcheveryone.com/routes-view.php?id=1723268
Ethos
This series is intended to allow everyone to race together on an equal basis, regardless of age, sex and ability. As such I hope as many members as possible take part. The handicap system will inevitably lead to some unusual results – however we should accept these as part of the spirit of the race.
Register here: https://sites.google.com/site/herchandicap/handicap-registration