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HANDICAPPING
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SECTION 5
Handicapping by Staggered Start Times - for races over 1000m
The expected performance of the weakest competitor is used as a datum to determine the scratch
position and the competitors are lined up in file behind this member in order of their ability. The
timekeeper starts the watch as the first runner starts and all the following runners are set off in
turn at the time estimated for them to catch the leader by the end of the race. The same watch can
be used to record finishing times and actual times are calculated by subtracting the handicap start
time. For example, consider a number of young athletes taking part in a race over a distance of
1500 metres.
Name
Estimated Performance
Handicap in seconds
Shari
5 min 35 sec
0 secs
Adam
5 min 27 sec
8 secs
Anne
5 min 21 sec
14 secs
Charlotte
5 min 15 sec
20 secs
Ben
5 min 08 sec
27 secs
Sadik
5 min 02 sec
33 secs
James
4 min 55 sec
40 secs
As the programme progresses through the
season the coach will develop a sound idea as
to the correct handicap for each athlete and
may be pleasantly surprised by the improvement
made by all the group members.
A 3 2 1 course can be used for this programme.
For further details please visit
www.runinengland.org.uk/321.
WEB COPY
©EVEQUE
WEB COPY
©EVEQUE