Nielson Challenge
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Monthly Handicap Race in Colorado Springs
The Nielson Challenge is a recurring athletic event held on the first Saturday of every month in Colorado Springs. Participants compete on a consistent 2 mile course located within North Monument Valley Park. The event utilizes a unique handicap system, allowing runners to compete against their own established performance levels rather than just the field of participants.
The handicap is calculated based on a participant's results from the previous two years. First-time participants establish a base time during their initial run, which is then used to generate their handicap for future events. The specific algorithm used for these calculations is designed to account for different experience levels, providing a metric for improvement over time. The winner of the event is determined by who improves the most relative to their specific handicap time.
The event structure includes the following distance:
- 2 miles
The course is the same for each monthly occurrence, offering a way for runners to track their fitness levels across different seasons and conditions. For safety and course management, strollers, joggers, and pets are not permitted on the route. Registration must be completed online in advance, as there is no registration available on the day of the race. Participants who have earned a specific permanent bib are pre-registered for each monthly installment. An award shirt is presented to the individual who achieves the greatest improvement over their handicap at each race. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
