What is It ?
The handicap is a event that takes place on the 2nd Wednesday of the month over a 5ish mile 2 lap loop of Broadmore Mental hospital (so we feel at home). The purpose of the event is to help the members of the club gauge there improvement against themselves and each other. Results can be found on the right hand panel.
1. Introduction
The purpose of the Handicap Run is to provide you with a chance to measure your current form by comparing your time over the same course with that of previous months. It is also a competition in which members of all abilities can compete equally with each other.
The Handicap Run is NOT a Race. You don't have to be super fit or super fast to take part. The aim is to provide you with a measure of your current form, whether your fit or unfit, a whippet or a tortoise, a new runner or a seasoned athlete.
The Handicap Run takes place on the second Wednesday of each month from the Visitors Car Park at Broadmoor. There is a trophy for the winner each month and trophies for the first three in the series awarded at the End of Year Dinner in March.
2. The Rules of the Handicap
1. The Handicap Series starts in January and the Handicap Run takes place on the second Wednesday of each month through to December.
2. Handicap Times will be carried over from the previous month and will be adjusted based on the previous months Finishing Time.
3. If the Finishing Time is faster than the Handicap Time then the new Handicap Time will be the Finishing Time.
4. If the Finishing Time is slower than the Handicap Time then the new Handicap Time will be increased by 1/4 of the difference, subject to a maximum of 30 seconds per month. If the difference is greater than 10% of the Handicap Time then no adjustment will be made to the Handicap Time.
5. For members competing in the Handicap Run for the first time no Handicap Time will be set. The Finishing Time in the first run will become the Handicap Time for the next run. If the Finishing Time is judged not to be an accurate reflection of the member's current ability, then the Handicap Time will be set by the Organiser of the Handicap Run.
6. The Handicap Time of any member who does not compete in the Handicap Run for three consecutive months will be discarded. If the member subsequently competes in the Handicap Run then if the Finishing Time is quicker than the previous Handicap Time it will become the Handicap Time for the next run. If the Finishing Time is slower than the previous Handicap Time and the previous Handicap Time was set no longer than 12 months previously then the Handicap Time will be set to the average of the Finishing Time and the previous Handicap Time. If the previous Handicap Time was set longer than 12 months previously then the Handicap Time and will be reset as per rule 5.
7. Each month a trophy will be awarded to the member who has the best Finishing Time compared to their Handicap Time. The trophy should be returned by the time of the next Handicap Run.
8. Points will be awarded each month based on Finishing Position. First place will receive 30pts, second place 29pts etc. down to thirtieth place 1pt. Finishing Position will be determined by Finishing Time relative to Handicap Time. Members finishing the Handicap Run for the first time, or taking part to re-set their Handicap Time will score 1 pt regardless of the number of finishers in that run.
9. Series Trophies will be awarded at the end of the year to the three members with the highest points totals from their best seven Handicap Runs. The Series Trophies will be presented at the Annual End Of Year Dinner.
10. In the event of two or more members being equal on points at the end of the series, their position will be decided by the relative values of the seventh best scoring Handicap Run. If still level, then by the sixth best scoring run etc.
11. The Organiser of the Handicap is appointed by the Club Committee and in all matters relating to the Handicap the Organiser's decision is final.
3. Handicap Route
The course comprises of two laps around Broadmoor starting and finishing from the Visitors Car Park at the back of Broadmoor in Kentigern Road . The course is about 5.4 miles long and, as you'd expect around Broadmoor, has one or two hills in it.
From the car park, run up Kentigern Rd , turn right down Upper Broadmoor Rd , cross to the left hand side. At the bottom turn left along Crowthorne High St then left into Lower Broadmoor Rd just after the mini-roundabout. Continue all the way along Lower Broadmoor Rd , past Chaplains Hill on the left and the School on the right, then turn left into Eastern Lane and left again following the perimeter wall back to the car park.
4. Results
The results of the Handicap Run and the latest Series Standings will be displayed on the Club Website and also published in the Club Newsletter