Nielson Challenge
- Date Sat 7th February 2026
- Time 8:00AM MST
- Location Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Price Free
- Races 1 race
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Event summary
Join the excitement at the Nielson Challenge on Saturday, February 7, 2026, in beautiful Colorado Springs, El Paso! This monthly 2-mile race, taking place on the first Saturday of each month, is a unique opportunity for runners of all levels to compete against their own personal bests. Starting at 8:00 A.M., with the start line closing at 8:05 A.M., participants will race against their handicap, determined by past performance over the last two years. This innovative format, designed to encourage beginners and slower runners, allows everyone to showcase their improvements and earn a chance to win a coveted Nielson shirt!
Whether you’re a seasoned athlete looking to gauge your fitness or a newcomer eager to challenge yourself, the Nielson Challenge offers a supportive and motivating environment. With the same course each month, you’ll have a reliable way to track your progress and see how your hard work pays off. Don't miss this chance to be part of a vibrant running community in Colorado Springs—mark your calendars and get ready to run your heart out!
Whether you’re a seasoned athlete looking to gauge your fitness or a newcomer eager to challenge yourself, the Nielson Challenge offers a supportive and motivating environment. With the same course each month, you’ll have a reliable way to track your progress and see how your hard work pays off. Don't miss this chance to be part of a vibrant running community in Colorado Springs—mark your calendars and get ready to run your heart out!
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 February 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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