Handicap Race

The Joyce Smith Memorial Rose Bowl & John Hearn Memorial Shield

The Handicap races are held on the First Monday of every month using two courses.

  • Winter Handicap (4 Miles) – October to March
  • Summer Handicap (4.9 Miles) – April to August

Registration takes place on the night of the handicap race at Kirkham & Wesham Cricket Club

  • Registration open from 6:15 pm to 6:30 pm
  • Handicap race starting at approximately 7.00 pm.

The first race of the series is a “mass start”. All the runners start off together and their times are recorded when they finish.

The following 11 races in the series are “staggered starts”. Start times are determined from each individuals course PB for that season. Anyone wishing to qualify for the end of year Handicap Champions Race will need to have completed at least two winter and two summer races.

The Trophy Race is the final race of the series. Each individuals precise start time will be calculated from the average of 4 best and worst results through the season. The first qualifying Man and Lady to cross the line will be declared the winners and will be presented with a Trophy and Prize. If everything goes to plan in the final race all the runners should finish together!!!!!!

Please see below for routes and dates for each handicap. You can also view start times for each race.

Current League Standings

As an addition to this years handicap competition, there has been a new points scoring system implemented. The current overall standings can be found below.

There are three opportunities to score points: at the start; during the race; at the finish.

At the start: Handicap times will be converted into handicap points for your start position. The first group to set off will start with the most points, with each subsequent group receiving one less point until the last group who start with 1 point. The number of group points varies by the number of entrants. These handicap points favour those with a slower pace time.

eg- 12 groups of runners are set off, the first group will start with 12 points and the the last with 1 point.

During the race: For every place that a runner improves from start to finish, the runner will be awarded one point. These handicap points favour the runners with a faster pace time.

eg- a runner sets off in 20th place and finishes in 10th place, that runner scores 10 points.

The finish line: the number of groups to set off will determine the number of finish places to be awarded points, with 1st being awarded the most, with each subsequent place being awarded 1 less point. These points reflect that everyones handicap position has the ability to finish at the same time. The harder you run the better you finish!

eg- 12 groups set off, the first 12 places back score points with 1st scoring 12 points and 12th scoring 1 point.

Everybody must run their first race at 0:00 start time, to determine their handicap start time. Points are allocated on a runners second completed race. Additional points are awarded for any runner who volunteers to help marshal the race- points awarded are equal to the first groups starting points.

These are updated after every handicap run (both summer and winter) – Current Standings in Handicap League Table

The Winter Handicap route

The Winter Handicap starts outside the Stable Bar on Preston Street, Kirkham and is over a distance of 4.0 miles through the streets of Kirkham. (2 laps)
You must wear a Hi-viz top/bib for safety for the Winter Handicaps.

Winter Handicap results and starting times (Dates may be subject to change.)

DateStart TimesFinish PositionsNet PositionsHandicap Co-ordinators
2nd October 2023Mass startFinish PositionsNet PositionsColin Smy
Bev Wilding
James Birchall
6th November 2023Start TimesFinish PositionsNet PositionsColin Smy
Stuart Mulrooney
Ian Nicholls-Hogg
Michelle Pitt
4th December 2023Start TimesCancelled - Road Works
8th January 2024Start TimesCancelled - Road Works
5th February 2024Start TimesCancelled - Road Works
4th March 2024Start TimesFinish PositionsNet PositionsVolunteers
1st April 2024Start Times

The Summer Handicap route

The Summer Handicap starts at the Windmill on the top of Dowbridge, Kirkham and the distance is 4.9 miles.  The route is out into the countryside around Treales.
All Summer Handicaps are fully marshalled at every junction.
Reflective safety wear is compulsory for this race.

Summer Handicap results and starting times (Dates may be subject to change.)

DateStart TimesFinish PositionsNet PositionsHandicap Co-ordinators
3rd April 2023Start TimesFinish PositionsFinish PositionsNet PositionsNet PositionsColin Smy
Emma Crabtree
1st May 2023Start TimesFinish PositionsNet PositionsColin Smy
Emma Crabtree
Alek Walker
Julie Rooney
Bev Wilding
Dawn Biggs
Dawn Paton
Nev Paton
Liz Sharrocks
Tony Sharrocks
Peter Cooke
5th June 2023Start TimesFinish PositionsNet PositionsColin Smy
Emma Crabtree
Bev Wilding
James Remnant
Liz Sharrocks
Tony Sharrocks
Julie Rooney
Kerry Eccles
Helen Bailey
Phil Leaver
John Burns
Steve Myerscough
3rd July 2023Start Times JulyFinish PositionsNet PositionsColin Smy
Emma Crabtree
James Birchall
Ian Nicholls-Hogg
Stephen Twist
Dave Young
John Burns
Phil Leaver
Steve Myerscough
Andy Moore
Michelle Pitt
Bev Wilding
Deborah Myerscough
7th August 2023Start TimesFinish PositionsNet PositionsColin Smy
Emma Crabtree
Bev Wilding
Phil Leaver
James Birchall
Dave Young
Emma Wright
Tom Crabtree
Liz Sharrocks
Tony Sharrocks
Mick Edge
Peter Rooney
28th August 2023 - Trophy RaceTROPHY RACE START TIMESFinish PositionsNet PositionsColin Smy
Emma Crabtree
Julie Rooney
Adam Wilding
Will Parkinson
Bev Wilding
Becky Ingham
John Burns
Michelle Pitt
Sue Rigby
Dave Young
Liz Sharrocks
Tony Sharrocks
Julie Paton

High Vis and reflective clothing must be worn for all winter handicaps and the final summer race.