Archive for the Handicap Category
Club Handicap Series 2010
28/02/2010 by Ivan.
The format for the 2010 series will be very similar to last year. There will be three events (please note, not four), all on Thursday evenings starting at 7.15pm. The dates for your diaries are 22 April, 6 May and 20 May.
The course will be the usual one in Chepstow Park Woods, a hilly circuit of just under 5 miles that will be marked.
The slowest runner starts first, the next slowest second, and so on, until the fastest runner who starts last. The idea is that everyone finishes together at exactly the same time! This never happens so there is always a winner who gets a trophy on the night. There are also trophies for the three runners who do best in the series, with each runner’s best two results counting.
If you have done the handicap before then you know how exciting the races can be, trying to chase the runner in front without being caught by the one behind! If you have never done a handicap then come and have a go! They are great fun – no denying that they are a bit tough, but great fun nonetheless!
I will need helpers so if you are not planning to run and are willing to help then I should be grateful for your assistance.
Any questions let me know. I look forward to seeing all of you on 22 April at Chepstow Park Woods!!
Vanessa
Club Handicap Race 2– 23 April 2009
26/04/2009 by Ivan.
Report by your friendly handicap organiser - Vanessa
Good weather, and Chepstow Park Woods was busy with 33 handicappers, several improvers, lots of helpers, and a few random walkers who got stuck in the car park…
Winner on the night was Mike Mugridge – good to see him running again! Second was Chris Adams and third Kath Matthews who ran a much better time at 33.48. Kath was also the fastest lady on the night, she is clearly getting back to form quickly.
Very good times on the night included Paul Murrin who ran 29.13 and Pete Ward did 29.39. However pride of place goes to Mark who did a storming 28.38!!!! Only 8 seconds outside the course record, fantastic time Mark, well done!
My very grateful thanks to all the helpers who set up the course, did the start, the finish, the numbers – I could not have done it without any of you!!!!! Thanks Ivan, Syd, Suzie, Jan, Paul, and anyone else I’ve forgotten.
The full results are on the attached sheet. While I do not wish to blow my own trumpet too much I was very pleased to see that almost 85% of the field finished within 4 minutes of the first runner – the hours spent calculating are worth it when you get a good overall result, even despite the complaints I got!!!!
The next handicap is on Thursday 7 May, at 7.15pm. Please meet at Leisure Centre at 7pm to share cars, to avoid the car park congestion!!!
Results available on the handicap page http://www.chepstowharriers.org.uk/handicap.htm
Club Handicap 8th May
01/05/2008 by Andy.
The third event in the Handicap series will take place at 7pm on Thursday 8th May.
Your best three results from the four events will go towards your overall score - though as usual prizes are also awarded on the night.
See Handicap 8th May 2008 for the start times.
Club Handicap 24th April
21/04/2008 by Andy.
The second event in the Handicap series will take place at 6:45pm on Thursday 24th April.
Your best three results from the four events will go towards your overall score - though as usual prizes are also awarded on the night.
See Handicap 24Apr08 for the start times.
Severn Bridge Time Trial
28/03/2008 by Andy.
37 runners turned out for last night’s 5 mile time trial across the River Severn and back. Luckily someone thought to build a bridge, so we didn’t get wet feet!
The legendary Severn Bridge winds were present, though thankfully below gale force (though I for one certainly noticed the headwind in the last couple of miles).
Thanks go out to Gareth, Mark, Sue and Jeremy for waiting in the cold to take down times and places, plus to Dick for marking out the course (including the low branch - handily located in the darkest part of the course for added excitement). A big “boo hiss” to the people responsible for the Aust Services, who don’t maintain the footpath nor, evidently, the street lighting.
As for the results (remember, it was a time trial, not a race) - Rich Matthews recorded the fastest time, just missing out on the “magical” 30 minute barrier, followed home by Matthew Stott and Pete Ward who competed strongly to the end, with a spectacular sprint finish. Lou Summers was first Lady, in under 34 and a half minutes, with Jane Horler breaking 35 minutes and Marianne Gittoes not too far behind her.
We welcomed a new club member (Brenda Avery) and even the slowly-healing Dick Finch completed the course. It was good to see a large number of the Magor Marsh 10K training group turning out, with some determined performances from all - every finisher broke 9:30 minute miling, so well done!
This event was held, partly to signal the end of the winter road-running club nights, but also to give Vanessa an idea how to assign the time penalties for the first Handicap event - which will be held on Thursday 10th April. Next week we’ll be taking a run round the course as a practice for everyone, whether you’ve done it before or not. It’s good to know what’s round the next bend…
I wish I hadn’t tried so hard now, I’m bound to get hammered in the handicap rankings!
Here’s a link to the results: 5M Time Trial Results
CLUB HANDICAP
26/03/2008 by Andy.
The popular Handicap series starts on Thursday 10 April starting at 6.45 – see the Club Handicap page to read all about it. On the Thursday before, the 3rd, our club run will be a recce of the course. You can either drive to the course in Chepstow Park Wood, or join in with a group running there from the Leisure Centre, leaving at 6.15.
Directions – take the A466 past the Racecourse and turn left through St Arvans village. After a couple of miles on the road to Devauden you pass a turn to the right (signposted The Cot), and immediately on the left you’ll see the forestry car park. Here’s a link to Google maps, showing the car park - zoom out to work out where it is!
We’ll meet there at 7pm and run the course.
