Nielson Challenge
- Date Sat 7th March 2026
- Time 8:00AM MST
- Location Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Price Free
- Races 1 race
Last chance to enter
Race day is fast approaching
Event summary
Join us for the Nielson Challenge on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in beautiful Colorado Springs, El Paso! This exciting monthly event features a 2-mile race designed for runners of all levels, from beginners to seasoned athletes. Runners will race against their personalized handicap, calculated based on their past performances over the last two years. This unique format encourages improvement and friendly competition, with the goal of enhancing your running fitness every month. The race kicks off at 8:00 A.M., and participants have until 8:05 A.M. to start. Each month, runners will tackle the same scenic 2-mile course, providing an excellent opportunity to track progress in similar weather conditions.
Not only does the Nielson Challenge foster a supportive environment for all runners, but it also offers awards for those who show the most improvement over their handicap time, with winners receiving a stylish Nielson shirt generously sponsored by EON Studios. Whether you're looking to set personal bests or simply enjoy the thrill of racing, the Nielson Challenge is the perfect event to add to your calendar. Don't miss out on this chance to challenge yourself and connect with the local running community!
Not only does the Nielson Challenge foster a supportive environment for all runners, but it also offers awards for those who show the most improvement over their handicap time, with winners receiving a stylish Nielson shirt generously sponsored by EON Studios. Whether you're looking to set personal bests or simply enjoy the thrill of racing, the Nielson Challenge is the perfect event to add to your calendar. Don't miss out on this chance to challenge yourself and connect with the local running community!
Organiser's Description
IF YOU HAVE A FOREVER BIB THERE IS NO NEED TO REGISTER. YOU ARE ALREADY PRE-REGISTERED EACH MONTH.
RACE STARTS AT 8:00 A.M. THE START LINE CLOSES AT 8:05 A.M.
This is a 2 mile race held the first Saturday of each month. You are running against your handicap, which is computed from your previous results for the last two years.
The first time you run this event, you'll establish a base time for yourself. This base time is used to generate a handicap time. The handicap time is calculated using an algorithm developed by Bob Royse, and it's geared to favor a beginning runner and the slower runners. Click here [https://www.pprrun.org/races/nielson-challenge#HandicapCalculation] for an explanation of the handicap algorithm.
Once you have an established handicap, you are racing against your handicap time. The person who improves the most from their handicap time is the winner.
As mentioned before, the handicap does favor a beginning runner or a slower runner who is putting in a lot of quality training time, as it's these types of runners who tend to have significant time improvements running the same course. But the race is also good for established runners and the swift of feet because it gives those runners a good indication of their fitness level. It's the same 2 mile course each month. Thus given similar weather conditions, you have a very good basis to check out your running fitness from month to month.
AWARDS
At each monthly race, the person who improves the most over their handicap earns a Nielson shirt.
The shirts are generously donated by Michael Schenk of EON Studios, located at 836 N Institute in Colorado Springs (633-7986). Visit EON Studios for all of your screen printing needs. Michael gets his exercise on a bicycle, while his wife Susan does the running in the family.
RACE STARTS AT 8:00 A.M. THE START LINE CLOSES AT 8:05 A.M.
This is a 2 mile race held the first Saturday of each month. You are running against your handicap, which is computed from your previous results for the last two years.
The first time you run this event, you'll establish a base time for yourself. This base time is used to generate a handicap time. The handicap time is calculated using an algorithm developed by Bob Royse, and it's geared to favor a beginning runner and the slower runners. Click here [https://www.pprrun.org/races/nielson-challenge#HandicapCalculation] for an explanation of the handicap algorithm.
Once you have an established handicap, you are racing against your handicap time. The person who improves the most from their handicap time is the winner.
As mentioned before, the handicap does favor a beginning runner or a slower runner who is putting in a lot of quality training time, as it's these types of runners who tend to have significant time improvements running the same course. But the race is also good for established runners and the swift of feet because it gives those runners a good indication of their fitness level. It's the same 2 mile course each month. Thus given similar weather conditions, you have a very good basis to check out your running fitness from month to month.
AWARDS
At each monthly race, the person who improves the most over their handicap earns a Nielson shirt.
The shirts are generously donated by Michael Schenk of EON Studios, located at 836 N Institute in Colorado Springs (633-7986). Visit EON Studios for all of your screen printing needs. Michael gets his exercise on a bicycle, while his wife Susan does the running in the family.
Races
-
8:00 AM Start
Sat 7th March 2026 (8:00AM MST)
Free
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North Monument Valley Park, W Fontanero Street & Culebra Ave, Colorado Springs, 80903, CO, United States
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