I introduced the handicap league system to the club a good few years ago in 1991 and produced the various tables for 13 years, until 2003. I have had a break for two years while Malcolm had a go at handicapping the various races. Malcolm has decided to give it a rest so I have been asked to give it another try.
This I am happy to do, with quite a few changes to the current system. I will try and outline them for you. I have assessed what type of runners we have in the club and tried to best cater for them all.
ROAD RACE HANDICAP LEAGUE.
This will be based on your best 10 races from 20. Much as before but using road races only. (Not sure about the Penmaenpool 10 mile yet, it was popular—What do you think?).
These races would be made up of 10 short races of 10k or less, 4 races of 10 mile, 4 races of half marathon, 1 race of 20 mile and 1 at marathon distance. This would give the endurance runners a chance with the fast people.
The handicaps would be worked out on an age related basis using an average of your best three races from the latter half of 2005 as a starting point. I might re assess them half way through the year.
As current system your best 4 races from 6. These will include the 5 North Wales League races and the North Wales Cross Country Championships all within the same calendar year. REMEMBER YOUR CLUB HAS ALREADY ENTERED YOU FOR THE LEAGUE RACES. FIVE FREE RACES TO YOU.
MID WEEK CHALLENGE LEAGUE (Full details to be finalised)
Something new, some members like going off, after work to a race and some have to work weekends. This will be based on your best 5 say from 9 or 10 selected races. (All race details are not yet available.) All of the chosen races being less than 70 mile from Tywyn and 50 mile from Dolgellau.
Again catering for a growing number of club runners. This will see you requiring your best 5 races from a selected 10. Taking into consideration the Welsh and North Wales Championships when these details are available. Priority will be given to local races and I will try to avoid as many road races as possible.
You might ask why certain local races are not in this league? I need to be certain that all races have permits to ensure that athletes are covered by insurance.
Something which I introduced in 1998 for a few seasons but then seemed to lapse. With the introduction of longer races into the league this is to be reintroduced. So for those of you who missed it last time here is how it works.
I have formulated these tables myself from the age standards tables that I use for the handicap leagues. They do not compare with any other standards you may have seen (RRC or BARR).
To qualify for a standard award you must achieve appropriate times in each of the three distance groups during one calendar year.
These groups will be: -
a) 5k, 5mile and 10k. (5k standard times to be added along with 70+ ladies and 80+ men)
b) 10 Mile and Half Marathon.
c) 20 Mile and Marathon.
As an example a Vet Lady 55-59 will need to run the following to obtain a Class 2 award: -
a) Either 5 Mile in under 38:44.9 or 10k in under 48:53.8. Then: -
b) 10 Miles in under 1:20:16 or Half Marathon in under 1:46:40 and finally: -
c) 20 Miles in under 2:46:35 or a Marathon in under 3:42:47.
YOU WILL NEED ONE TIME FROM EACH GROUP.
You will notice that the ages are in five-year groups based on the youngest time in that group, as the example above uses age 55.
Performances will count from any race over a certified road race course, not just those in our leagues. I will need full race details and a copy of race results though please. Your own timing does not count it is what is on the official results only. Members will be allowed to win an award once only in each of the three grades at each age group.
As I have said before these awards are not supposed to be easily achieved.
A copy of the standards lists will appear in the newsletter and hopefully on our web site.
These will be for the best age related performance by a Lady and a Man throughout the year in any race. Please note I will need details of any race that you take part in.
Where does this very popular day appear in all these changes?
I hope, with the committee`s approval, this will be the Clubs Off Road Championships day. I would like to include 15 mile, 7 mile, 5 mile and children’s races in this. Not the Fun Runs. This should encompass all our club members who would like to take part. Say with a special awards day other than the annual presentation. Any ideas?
I am currently updating these records and will ask Dei to publish them in the next newsletter.
If you feel that you have any times worth considering, in any age group, please send details to me. Times need to have been achieved while running for Bro Dysynni AC, North Wales or your Country.
I hope I am not taking on too much, but I am willing to give it my best shot. I am liasing with Malcolm to produce a comprehensive fixtures list. We are restricted by the fact that organisers do not publish details of their races that early. It is important that you give feedback on all ideas. Things can be changed if it is the feeling of the majority of members.
John Nolan E-Mail john_p_nolan@hotmail.com or Tel. 01782 625726