About
Trent Park Running Club has been holding the handicap (time trial) race for almost as long as the club has been established which dates back to the 1980s. Initially, it was for club members only so they could track their improvement but was soon opened up to guest runners.
It is a 5km race around Trent Park on the last Saturday of the month (except December). However, unlike a normal race, you are racing for a time, not a place. The idea is to improve on your previous time (your handicap). Your improvement is a percentage (improvement divided by your previous best).
Number collection is available from 8:45 am to 9:15 am from Southgate Hockey Centre, and the race starts a 9:30 am on Limes Avenue (the Pineapple).
There are a number of changes for the 2023 series and details of these are below.
Changes for 2023
Following a survey at the end of the 2022 season we have made a number of changes for the 2023 season.
Firstly, we have made a slight change to the direction we run in. Instead of running up and down the “Pineapple”, the main road in the centre of the park, at the end, we will now do this at the start. This limits the number of volunteers required.
Secondly, the dates are not fixed as the last Saturday of the month. We will try and stick to this but may move this a week either way depending on the club’s league schedule. We will notify any registered runners as far in advance as possible.
Lastly, we are not running a points table for 2023, but will run a table of times and improvements.
The Nightcap
We have added 4 Thursday evening handicaps to the series for the summer month (see below for dates). Number collect for these will start at 6:45 pm to 7:15 pm with race starting at 7:30 pm.
Taking part
The handicap is open to anyone, over the age of 14, you don’t need to be a club member. However, there is a strict time limit of 45 minutes.
The course is mostly on trails so you need to be comfortable running off-road.
You need to be registered to run, which you do once for the whole year. Registration closes at midnight the night before. There is no registration on the day. If you think you might run then register, as it does not matter if you turn up or not.
All registered runners will receive a pre-race email with the details. However, the registration desk is open from 8:45 am to 9:15 am in the hockey centre for number collection, or replacement if you have forgotten or lost yours. The race starts at 9:30 am on the “Pineapple” from the first layby nearest the WRAS.
To register please use the link below
Next Handicaps
Frequently Asked Question
To Follow
What is the handicap?
The handicap is our monthly time trial event. Unlike a “normal” race it is all about improvement, so the idea is to try and improve on your previous best time (PB), so this is your handicap. Therefore, you are running against yourself rather than against others.
How do I take part?
You first need to register, which you need to do by midnight the night before, see the registration button above to register.
The registration is done via Webscorer and you just need to register once for the whole series.
Once, registered you need to collect your number on the day, which you keep for the whole series.
Do I need to be a club member?
No, the races are open to anyone. There is no charge to enter.
What are the timings?
Online registration closes at midnight the night before the race.
On the day the registration desk is open from 8:45 am to 9:15 am for number collection and replacement.
The race starts at 9:30 am on the “pineapple” the main road in the centre of the park.
What is the course like?
The course is a mixture of hard surfaces and trail paths and hilly so a reasonable challenge.
Depending on the time of year and rainfall it can be muddy in places. However, can be run in road or trail shoes. It is not suitable for spikes.
How is the improvement calculated?
Rather than calculating this as a time difference, we calculate this as a percentage improvement as a straight time difference favours a slower runner. Therefore, using a percentage, a 1-minute improvement on a 20-minute PB, is the same as a 2-minute improvement on a 40-minute PB.
The calculation is done in seconds and is:-
(difference in times/previous personal best) * 100
When are they?
We try and run these on the last Saturday of the month. However, may need to move these depending on other events in the park or for the club.
For 2023, we are also looking at running some of these on a Thursday evening once we have longer daylight days.
Please check our races and events calendar at the bottom of the page for details of the next race.
Are there any rules?
Just a few rules to follow.
- You must be registered to run and there is no registration on the day.
- You must wear your race number on your front, this is so it can be seen by the results team at the end. If you have taken your top off or put a top on, please hold up or reveal your number as you approach the finish. If your number is not visible you will be directed passed the finish.
- Do not cut or cover the number as we need to be able to see it.
- Do not run with an old number or someone else’s number. You will be disqualified from the results if running with an old number or someone else’s. If you are unsure if you have the correct number or you have lost yours, then please visit the registration desk before the race.
- You must run the full course, with no shortcuts.
- You must finish in the finish funnel. If you run past then turn around and finish correctly as your time is only recorded as you cross the actual finish line.
- You must stay in order in the finish funnel so we can record your number.
- If you have already finished do not go through the finish again. If you are pacing someone cut off well before the finish.
- There is a strict 45-minute cut-off for the race. Anyone finishing after 45 minutes will not have time recorded.
- Don’t argue, be abusive or threaten any of our marshals, officials or other volunteers. There is zero tolerance for this and it may result in you being disqualified from the race and barred from any future events.
- The race director’s decision is final.
- Have fun
Results
Below are the current season results and a link to historic results.
For this season we are not running a points table based on handicap improvements. Instead, we have 2 points tables (*) one is based on pure times, and the other is based on Age Graded times using the WMA (World Masters Athletics) Tables for a 5km Road Race.
For these points tables the best 5 races are counted.
Current Season Results
Results from the current season.
The improvement is calculated as the difference between your time and your handicap (your best time) divided by your handicap to give a % improvement. This is 100% where you have not run in this season before.
If you search for a name the chart at the bottom will only show those times.
Results
Results from all previous months’ races.
Handicap May 2023 – 27/5/2023
Nightcap May 2023 – 11/5/2023
Senior Handicap April 2023 – 29/4/2023
Senior Handicap March 2023 – 25/3/2023
Senior Handicap February 2023 – 25/2/2023
