Nielson Challenge January
Jan 04, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Nielson Challenge January
Colorado Springs CO,
USA
Entry Fee $
(Lowest or Early Registration)
Prize Money: no
Distance(s):
- 2M
Type: Trail
Starting Elevation: 6100
High Point: 6300
Percent of the course on un-paved trails: 100%
First Year of the Event: 2000
Men's Record: 9:35.59, Justin Chaston, May 2011
Women's Record: 11:12.51, Shannon Payne, July 2013
Description:
Monthly event – first Saturday of each month.
2 mile challenge race. Handicap. Held at Monument Valley park the first Saturday of every month. On dirt/gravel trail. Flat. No fee.
Beginning in January of 2017, the course will change for the Nielson Challenge. The first mile will be the loop portion, run in a counter clock-wise direction. The second mile will be the out-n-back section, going south for a 1/2 mile, and then north for a 1/2 mile. This is being done to alleviate the congestion that has been experienced along the narrow section of trail near the southern turnaround. As the numbers have grown for the Nielson, some runners have been getting squeezed along the narrow section after they make the turn and run upstream against the flow of oncoming runners.
Race Format
Please arrive at least 20 minutes early so that we can get everybody registered smoothly and start the race on time. It will also allow you to park closer to the staging area.
The first time you run this event, you’ll establish a base time for yourself. This base time is used to generate a handicap time. The handicap time is calculated using an algorithm developed by Bob Royse, and it’s geared to favor a beginning runner and the slower runners. Click here for an explanation of the handicap algorithm.
Once you have an established handicap, you are racing against your handicap time. The person who improves the most from their handicap time is the winner. Each month the results are sent off to Bob Royse and he fires up his Nielson algorithm and regenerates all of the handicap times based on the latest result data.
As mentioned before, the handicap does favor a beginning runner or a slower runner who is putting in a lot of quality training time, as it’s these types of runners who tend to have significant time improvements running the same course. But the race is also good for established runners and the swift of feet because it gives those runners a good indication of their fitness level. It’s the same 2 mile course each month. Thus given similar weather conditions, you have a very good basis to check out your running fitness from month to month.
Awards
At each monthly race, the person who improves the most over their handicap earns a Nielson shirt. Their name also goes on the Nielson plaque for that month. At the PPRR membership dinner and meeting in November, the person with the most Nielson wins during the past 12 months is recognized as the year’s winner and gets to keep the Nielson plaque. (A new plaque is then started for the next 12 months.) If multiple people have won the Nielson an equal amount of times, then the yearly award is determined by the person who improved over their handicap by the greatest amount.
The shirts are generously donated by Michael Schenk of EON Studios, located at 836 N Institute in Colorado Springs (633-7986). Visit EON Studios for all of your screen printing needs. Michael gets his exercise on a bicycle, while his wife Susan does the running in the family.
Photos
No photos available.
Map
Past Event Dates
Held on Jan 04, 2025
Held on Jan 06, 2024
Held on Jan 07, 2023
Held on Jan 01, 2022
Held on Jan 02, 2021
Held on Jan 04, 2020
Held on Jan 05, 2019
Held on Jan 06, 2018
Held on Jan 07, 2017
Held on Jan 02, 2016
Held on Jan 03, 2015
Held on Jan 04, 2014
Held on Jan 05, 2013
Held on Jan 07, 2012
Held on Jan 01, 2011
Held on Jan 02, 2010
Held on Jan 03, 2009
Held on Jan 05, 2008
Held on Jan 06, 2007
Held on Jan 07, 2006
Held on Jan 01, 2005
Held on Jan 03, 2004
Held on Jan 04, 2003
Held on Jan 05, 2002
Held on Jan 06, 2001
Held on Jan 01, 2000
Event Results
View 2018 Results
View 2017 Results
View 2016 Results
View 2015 Results
View 2014 Results
View 2013 Results
View 2012 Results
View 2011 Results
View 2010 Results
View 2009 Results
View 2008 Results
View 2007 Results
View 2006 Results
View 2005 Results
View 2004 Results
View 2003 Results
View 2002 Results
View 2001 Results
View 2000 Results