**THE ONLY TOTALLY FREE AFFILIATED RUNNING CLUB IN HERTFORDSHIRE**
The 5k handicap
The club uses a 5k out and back route along GWR. It is a flat, fast route using the cycleways. The 5k is used as both a training session but also as an opportunity for club members to push themselves a little harder (if they want to) to see how fast they can complete a 5k. This is a useful training benchmark tool.
How does a handicap run work? In a handicap, each runner is given a target time to complete the 5k in. This time is based on thatbrunners current form. Information from training and recent races will be used to calculate the target. Runners are then out in to a ranking order based on those target times with the slowest runner first. Each runner is then set off in that order with start times based on the handicap time given to each runner. If all runners complete the 5k in the target times given, they will all finish together! The winner of a 5k handicap race is the runner who beats their target time by the greatest margin.
The route
The route starts adjacent to Leyden Road facing north on GWR. The dual carriageway is on your left. Run along the cycleway keeping the dual carriageway on your left. You will pass the Wine Society and then pass into the first underpass complex. Bear right out of this and then immediately left to keep the road on your left. Up the slope, past Airbus and then into the next underpass complex. Bear right and then left to follow the road, keeping it on your left. Up the slope and then past Buildbase, cross Meadway taking care to check for traffic. Past the back of Woolenwick school and enter the underpass in front of you. Go around the large lamppost in the centre of the underpass complex. You will now re-trace your steps back to the start keeping the dual carriageway on your right this time.
2023 Handicap 5k club competition
The club competition consists of 6 handicap 5k races (one a month) between April and September. Any member who runs in at least three of the races will be eligible to be included in the overall club standings and will receive a medal. Prizes will be awarded to the first three runners in the overall standings. There will also be a prize for the fastest man and fastest lady based on their average times over the three races that count (if they have run more than three races then the average of the fastest three will count).
The dates of the 6 races are:
4th April 2023
23rd May 2023
8th June 2023
6th July 2023
8th August 2023
7th September 2023
Here are the final overall standings after the six races.
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