5 Mile Handicap

2008 Handicap

Hanidicap No.5

Hello Folks,

Results for the 5th handicap race attached. A great effort from everyone on a miserable evening weather wise. Hopefully our absent leader Barry is enjoying the Florida sun and will bring us some back.

Well done Suzanne on your first run in the series, even with Barry well relaxed from his holiday I fear no charity will be shown when it comes to handicapping in the final race.

Also making their debut's in this years handicap were Katrina, Tracie, Charlotte and Mick.

Fastest run on the night was talented triathlete Roddy, well done.

Now for the leader board. Remember with the best 4 results to count, many competitors had already clocked 4 results – improving your position for some could only be achieved by bettering one of your existing results. Roy was in that position and did exactly that by turning one point into two.

Leigh remains joint top but as this was also his 5th race his hard earned point did nothing for him, as did Phill's.

Gill's 3 points meant an impressive climb from 10th to joint 5th

Thanks must also go to Carol for helping on the night.

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Hanidicap No.4

Folks,
Results for the 4th handicap race attached. A spread of 3 minutes covered 75% of the field, so a good effort from one and all.

Jackie, Karen and Gill will be amply rewarded for their improved performances with tougher target times for the next handicap.

Karen has managed to peg Leigh back at the top of the leaderboard, but with 2 races to go it’s still anyone’s guess who will be sitting pretty at the end of the series. With the best 4 results to count, and with 4 races down, many competitors have already clocked 4 results – if you want to improve your position on the leaderboard you’ll need to better one of your existing results.

The next handicap is Wednesday 13th August 2008. Unfortunately I won’t be able to make it that night (don’t shed any tears – I’ll be on holiday), but it does mean a couple of “lucky” club members can have a go at organising the handicap timings (I’ll provide the start times). If any willing volunteers could let me know before 31 July 2008 so I can get the start times and details across to you.

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Hanidicap No.3

Folks,
Well, what can I say? A fantastic turnout tonight with 26 runners for the third of the 2008 club handicap series, with many new members participating. Indeed, it was the new members who managed to have the edge over the handicapper, with Karen Mason taking a tremendous 7½ minutes off her own estimated time, Richard showing none of the muscular discomfort of his first handicap, and new runner Jason beating his own expectations by over 2 minutes. Other notable performances on the night included Jonny M, recording his best time over the course for 2 years (just goes to show what completing an Ironman can do for your handicap preparations – I expect to see lots of you signing up for this extreme training plan ahead of Race 4 J ).  The results, and the all important times, are as follows (apologies to the new runners if I didn’t get your surname listed):

For the uninitiated, the top three (Karen, Richard and Jason) will be “rewarded” for their podium positions with additional time penalties next time (I’ll have to be less lenient next time). But watch out -– the handicapper is monitoring the race results and will recognise and reward improving racers (the value of your handicap can only go up, for those of you thinking of throwing a race).

With the first half of the series completed, we have a long and distinguished leaderboard (34 competitors already in 2008 – with some notable omissions). The new members and triathlete contingent continue to be well represented in the top 10 – can anyone catch Leigh or Chris, or have they peaked too soon? I’m sure you’ve all got your own views. The only way to have your say is to take part.

The next handicap is Wednesday 9th July 2008, and the intention is to use it as a practice ahead of the Guy Fawkes 5 race (so some of the other local clubs will be invited to join us on the night), so it’ll be a hotbed of competition. I look forward to seeing you all down at Walton Cardiff.

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Hanidicap No.2

Folks,
Well done to the 16 weary weekend warriors that showed great resolve in tackling the second of the 2008 club handicap series, midway between the Tewkesbury Half-Marathon and the White Horse 5k.  A few of the runners had the last laugh on the handicapper (or so they think J ), with Chris knocking a whopping 5 minutes off his first 5 mile time, and Leigh improving by almost 2 minutes.

Well done to everyone. As with the first event, Chris, Leigh and Paul will be “rewarded” for their podium positions with additional time penalties next time (I’ll have to be less lenient next time). But watch out -– the handicapper is monitoring the race results and will recognise and reward improving racers (the value of your handicap can only go up, for those of you thinking of throwing a race).

With the first 2 races completed, we have the first leaderboard for 2008. New member Leigh is trying to show a clean pair of heels to Phillip, Chris and Dan, but with 4 races to go, will Leigh be able to build on his lead? The only way to have your say is to take part.

The next handicap is Wednesday 11th June 2008. I look forward to seeing you all down at Walton Cardiff.

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Hanicap No.1

A big thank you to the 18 battle hardened souls that turned out for the first of the 2008 club handicap series, including potential new member Richard. As is often the case, the first handicap allows everyone to find their feet – has the winter training gone to plan, are you on target for your race goal, has the handicapper got his sums wrong, or has the handicapper had the last laugh? Well, the results are in, and I think it’s safe to say that there was a good mix of all of these.  Phillip ran well to take the podium ahead of his double marathon weekend (best of luck), with Dan proving the handicapper spot on with his efforts, and new member Leigh marking a good handicap debut with 3rd place.