Our Handicapping System

The handicapper uses discretion combined with a formula to take account of varying conditions and changes in runners’ performances.

NEW RUNNERS (NOVICES)

All new runners to the PCCCT must be registered as members, including paying the PCCCT’s annual registration fee or one-day visitor’s fee, prior to their first run.
New runners to the PCCCT will then be assigned a base handicap by The Handicapper.
The base distance used for calculating handicaps is 5km. This base handicap is loaded (increased) for longer and harder races. The base handicap is derived from runner’s times over club races, and any PBs in out of club events.
New members’ handicaps marks may also be set after consultation with the runner about recent PBs, fitness and other potential considerations.
The onus is on new runners to be honest and accurate in providing information about their running history.

ALL RUNNERS

It’s important to note that a runner’s mark is solely at the handicapper’s discretion. It is his/her exclusive role to award a handicap to each and every member.
The handicaps of all PCCCT runners will be reviewed on a regular basis by The Handicapper, and adjustments may be made either forward (lift) or backwards (pull) or no change, based on these regular reviews. Reasons for review may include form, regular high placing, long term injury/illness.
Lack of training and short term illness/injury are not reasons for a lift.
Members may discuss their handicaps with the Handicapper at the conclusion of the race, after results have been finalised.

Considerations of a handicapper include:

a runner cannot run his/her fastest rate every week of the season
a runner will vary year to year – age, fitness, disruptions (jobs, kids…..), motivation
distance of race 5km – marathon
difficulty of race – hills/flat
how long since last win
consistency of the runner
number of races run per season
race prestige (“Blue Ribbon” races)
total number of club races
age of runner
potential to improve
winning margins