Nielson Challenge
- Date Sat 2nd May 2026
- Time 8:00AM MDT
- Location Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Price Free
- Races 1 race
Last chance to enter
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Event summary
Get ready to lace up your running shoes for the exciting Nielson Challenge on Saturday, May 2, 2026, in beautiful Colorado Springs, El Paso! This unique 2-mile race, held on the first Saturday of every month, is designed to accommodate runners of all levels, from beginners to seasoned athletes. The race kicks off at 8:00 a.m., so be sure to arrive early as the start line closes at 8:05 a.m.
What sets the Nielson Challenge apart is its innovative handicap system, which allows participants to race against their own previous results, encouraging personal improvement and friendly competition. Runners establish a base time during their first event, which is then used to calculate their handicap for future races. This exciting format not only promotes growth among new runners but also allows experienced runners to gauge their fitness level over time. Each month, the participant who shows the most improvement enjoys the thrill of winning a Nielson shirt, generously donated by local business EON Studios. Join this vibrant community of runners and experience the joy of pushing your limits while enjoying the stunning scenery of Colorado Springs!
What sets the Nielson Challenge apart is its innovative handicap system, which allows participants to race against their own previous results, encouraging personal improvement and friendly competition. Runners establish a base time during their first event, which is then used to calculate their handicap for future races. This exciting format not only promotes growth among new runners but also allows experienced runners to gauge their fitness level over time. Each month, the participant who shows the most improvement enjoys the thrill of winning a Nielson shirt, generously donated by local business EON Studios. Join this vibrant community of runners and experience the joy of pushing your limits while enjoying the stunning scenery of Colorado Springs!
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 2nd May 2026 (8:00AM MDT)
Free
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North Monument Valley Park, W Fontanero Street & Culebra Ave, Colorado Springs, 80903, CO, United States
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