The way it works is, everyone gets a handicap based on age, size, and sex. Men who are 20 - 34 years old and of a certain size ratio (weigth/height) get a big zero. Everyone else flexes off of that based on their sex, age, weight, and height loaded into a nicely honed equation that then spits out a time handicap. The idea is to level the playing field for everyone, so it's just a test of 5K running fitness, all other things (theoretically) set equal.
Oh, what fun!
Part of the fun is that, rather than have a mass start, runners start the race based on their handicap. My handicap worked out to 7 minutes, 48 seconds, so I started at 7:48 before the race clock. Old, fat women go first and so on... *ahem*
Once on the course, you try to catch the people who have gone before. First one across the finish wins, as with a typical race.
It was a lovely morning for it. Sunny with temps around mid-40s. There were 250 finishers. I took 6th place overall with a handicapped finish time of 15:34
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In fact, the top three finishers were all women, all very fit looking. I had no problem losing to them!
It was a fun event hosted by the local running club. I heard about it last week some time. They included this photo of enticing trophies, of which I got a kick out of the caption:
So it was a fun way to start the weekend. I hadn't done a 5k in quite a while, missing the last turkey trot because of icy crappy conditions. This was the first time in a long time of running in shorts. I was hoping that my dog bite scar might intimidate the other runners, but I'm pretty sure it did not.
20 comments:
Very mighty trophies indeed! You're an inspiration. An inspiration that I don't really see following myself any time soon, but I'm glad you enjoy getting chased by young guys :) Your path looks great. Don't worry, the guy bumming weed will find you again.
You should have duplicated the dog bite to other parts of your body, then, using makeup you could have looked like one of the "running" dead. Everyone would have allowed you all the space you wanted.
I've never heard of a Tortoise and Hare 5k. What a cool idea! If I ever get a normal job, I'd love to run in organized races again. Nobody ever hosts a 5k on a Tuesday morning.
6th place overall is quite an accomplishment! And to do it in shorts! Have we finally turned the corner to spring?
Yes, I bet the weed bummer finds me. His schedule seems pretty light.
Sounds like a plan! Festering zombie dog bites!
I'd never heard of it either, but agree it's a cool idea. But no, I know of none scheduled for a Tuesday morning...
It was very springy, too. We'll be whining about the heat in no time!
That sounds super fun. I need to sign up for some actual races this year.
Awesome job! You definitely quality as more hare than tortoise, but what a cool way to level the playing field.
It was as fun as it sounds. Get those registrations in!
It is a fun way to throw a 5K. I just wanted to pass more people than passed me.
6th place - Woo Hoo!!!
What would you do with the trophy if you'd gotten one of them? Do you still have trophies, etc. from the past?
I've chucked old trophies and ribbons. We're talking OLD! I've got some medals hanging on a board, from more recent events. I think trophies are a bit gaudy for my taste. I don't know where I'd put one.
I hung back at the race so I wouldn't be stuck with one - YAH, RIIIGHT!
Wow, good job!! LMAO at your post title...wouldn't mind that either.
Whatever works to get people to an event!
Ha ha!
6th place! Nice!!! I run to catch the bus sometimes... and that's pretty much my only running.
There should be trophies for that.
Congratulations on the great finish! 6th overall is awesome! But where's the pictures of the hot guys? I feel cheated.
Sorry, just old lady pics allowed. Gotta use your imagination otherwise!
THERE TOTALLY SHOULD BE! :-)
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