Tuesday 10-Jul-2012

Meet between 6:30pm & 6:45pm, race at 7pm

This date is provisional and will be confirmed later in 2012.

2011 race on Tuesday 12-Jul-2011

The total of 60 runners was easily the largest field we've had in the history of the event, which was first run in 1987.  We have not had over 50 runners before.

One major thing that would help in future:  Please tell the organisers in advance that you might come along, and send in a recent 5k or 10k time so that you can get a handicap.  Remember that this doesn't commit you to running.  A large number of people turned up on the night without prior warning this year, which made handicapping & organisation very difficult for Janet & David.

Acknowledgements

Major thanks to Janet & David Redpath for organising the event.

Thanks to all of the marshals & helpers: Louise Dempster, Steve Martin, Carol Stynes, Angela Bradley, Steve Pickford, Anne & Les Hewitt, Michelle & Bill Bradley & Matthew, John Owen, Julia Coles, Claire Bursnoll, John Ramsdale - if I've missed anyone out I apologise!  Also, thanks to Barry Allman & Robin Greenwood who offered to give up their run to marshal if we were short of marshals.

Results

Alison & Dillon were the trophy winners.  Fastest woman was Liz Whitfield, fastest man was Mike Welsby.

Race information

Please note that this is a closed event for Spectrum Striders RC club members only (plus a few invited guests).  The start is at Birchwood railway station.

The 5k Handicap is usually run on a summer Tuesday evening when the track is not available for our track training.  It is sometimes followed either by a visit to the pub or by a more formal social event.  We normally meet at 6:45pm (latest) in the car park at Birchwood railway station so that we can get the numbers issued, before the first runners go off at 7pm.

How it works

For those who have not done this race before, the slowest runners start first followed at regular intervals by faster runners with the fastest runners starting last.  If the handicapper gets it right, everyone will finish at almost the same time!

Please tell us in advance if you think you might run.  Drop Julian or another committee member a note so your handicap can be worked out in advance of the night.  A recent 5k or 10k time is needed to help work out your handicap.  Doing this doesn't commit you to actually run.

The route was properly measured during the 2000's and can now count for club 5k records.

Even if you are a "back of the pack" runner, do give it a try.  It's your chance to actually win a race!  There is a trophy for first man and first woman, and they are rarely won by the quicker runners as they get fair (but challenging) handicaps.

Race route

To see the route in Google Maps, so that you can zoom in on particular parts of it, please click here.

The route goes along the pavement from the Birchwood Railway Station, turning right after about 150 yards along the Brook Park.  At about 1¼ miles, enter the Forest Park under the subway, then bear right and run round the top of the Forest Park on the footpath past the Ranger Centre, then return towards the school in the opposite direction to the Summer Muster.

At about 2½ miles, go straight on through "Red Square", straight on over the footbridge, then bear right on the path (not left towards the walled garden).  Turn left at the underpass onto the footpath up the hill towards Birchwood High School.  On the other side of the footbridge, instead of going down the steps into the school, bear left at the rear of the school staying on the path and down to the finish.