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.
Those who have currently completed 2 Winter races as of Feb 2023 can be found here:
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.
These are updated after every handicap run (both summer and winter) – Handicap League Table as of 06/03/23
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.)
| Date | Start Times | Finish Positions | Net Positions | Handicap Co-ordinators |
|---|---|---|---|---|
3rd October 2022| Mass start | Finish position | Net Position | Colin Smy |
Emma Crabtree Natalie Middlemass |
7th November 2022| Start Times | Finish position | Net Position | Colin Smy |
Emma Crabtree Julie Rooney Bev Wilding |
5th December 2022| Start Times | Finish position | Net Position | Colin Smy |
Emma Crabtree James Green Will Parkinson |
9th January 2023| Start Times | Finish position | Net Position | Colin Smy |
Emma Crabtree Bev Wilding |
6th February 2023| Start Times | Finish position | Net Position | Colin Smy |
Emma Crabtree Bev Wilding Stuart Topping Kerry Eccles |
6th March 2023| Start Times | Finish Positions | Net Positions | Colin Smy |
Emma Crabtree Julie Rooney Tarnya Shaw |
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.)
| Date | Start Times | Finish Positions | Net Positions | Handicap Co-ordinators |
|---|---|---|---|---|
3rd April 2023| Start Times | Finish Positions | Net Positions | Colin Smy |
Emma Crabtree |
1st May 2023| Start Times | Finish Positions | Net Positions | Colin Smy |
Emma Crabtree |
5th June 2023| Start Times | Finish Positions | Net Positions | Colin Smy |
Emma Crabtree |
3rd July 2023| Start Times | Finish Positions | Net Positions | Colin Smy |
Emma Crabtree |
7th August 2023| Start Times | Finish Positions | Net Positions | Colin Smy |
Emma Crabtree |
28th August 2023 - Trophy Race| Start Times | Finish Positions | Net Positions | Colin Smy |
Emma Crabtree |
High Vis and reflective clothing must be worn for all winter handicaps and the final summer race.