Spectrum Striders Running Club
Birchwood, Warrington, Cheshire
Striders Informal Races
Main Index Page - Site Map - Contacts - Handicap - Duathlon
Introduction
Each year, Striders organise some informal races which are restricted mainly to club members only. This page has information and links to results for the Handicap and Duathlon.
5k Handicap
Results
2008 Handicap
Previous years: 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999
Information
The handicap is run on a summer evening and is usually followed by a social event. This race is restricted to Striders club members and invited guests from local clubs. If you intend to run, drop Julian or another committee member a line so your handicap can be worked out in advance of the night. A recent 5k or 10k time would also be useful to help work out your handicap. We normally meet at 6:45pm at the start so that we can get the numbers issued, before the first runners go at 7pm.
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! Above are links to results for recent Club handicaps - they are all in Microsoft Word format.
The traditional handicap race route goes along the pavement from the Birchwood Railway Station, turning right along the Brook Park, then round the top of the Forest Park on the footpath past the Rangers Cabin, returning towards the school in the opposite direction to the Summer Muster. Go through Red Square, straight over the footbridge, bear right on the path, then turning left at the underpass onto the footpath towards Birchwood High School. Instead of going down the steps into the school, fork left at the rear of the school keeping to the path and down to the finish. Please note that the 5k route is not an accurately measured distance, so times do not count for standards, PB's or club records.
The social event follows much the same pattern each year. There is the prize giving, a buffet and often a quiz. Everyone who runs should bring a gift up to the value of £5. These are all placed on a table and the first finisher on the night gets first choice, followed by all the other finishers in turn.
Even if you are a "back of the pack" runner (like your webmaster), do give it a try. It's your chance to actually win a race!
Duathlon
Introduction
This is held on the Friday evening preceding the Birchwood 10k. The date for the 2008 race will be Friday 15th August. Club members are not allowed to run the 10k race and this event was created as an opportunity for members to race over the 10k race weekend. Below are results for the Club Duathlon races - they are all in either Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel format.
For those who have never done this event, last year it was a 2 mile run followed by a 6 mile bike ride and another 2 mile run. The run takes place wholly within the Forest Park and is all away from the roads, the cycle route largely follows the Birchwood 10k route. We normally meet at the Birchwood Forest Park Rangers Hut at 6:30pm to get organised for a 7pm start - it takes a while to get the numbers and the transition area organised. Wearing of cycle helmets is compulsory when you are on the bike - no exceptions! The event is handicapped with staggered start times.
Results
This page was last updated on 16/07/08