Nielson Challenge
Saturday, December 5, 2026
8:00 AM MST
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Free · 1 race
Event summary
Get ready to lace up your running shoes for the exciting Nielson Challenge taking place on Saturday, December 5th, 2026, in the picturesque Colorado Springs, El Paso! This invigorating 2-mile race is not just about speed; it's uniquely designed to challenge participants against their own handicap times, calculated from their previous performances over the past two years. Starting at 8:00 a.m. and closing the start line at 8:05 a.m., runners of all skill levels can enjoy a friendly competition that emphasizes personal improvement and growth.
Whether you're a seasoned athlete or a beginner looking to enhance your running journey, the Nielson Challenge offers an inclusive atmosphere with a consistent course to track your fitness month after month. Each race awards a special Nielson shirt to the participant who shows the most significant improvement over their handicap, making it an exciting and rewarding experience for everyone involved. Join the community of runners and discover the joy of racing against yourself in beautiful Colorado Springs!
Whether you're a seasoned athlete or a beginner looking to enhance your running journey, the Nielson Challenge offers an inclusive atmosphere with a consistent course to track your fitness month after month. Each race awards a special Nielson shirt to the participant who shows the most significant improvement over their handicap, making it an exciting and rewarding experience for everyone involved. Join the community of runners and discover the joy of racing against yourself in beautiful Colorado Springs!
Races
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.
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Location
North Monument Valley Park, W Fontanero Street & Culebra Ave, Colorado Springs, 80903, CO, United States
Nielson Challenge
Event data
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