Nielson Challenge
- Date Sat 5th September 2026
- Time 8:00AM MDT
- Location Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Price Free
- Races 1 race
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Event summary
Get ready for the Nielson Challenge, an exciting monthly race that kicks off on Saturday, September 5th, 2026, in the beautiful city of Colorado Springs, El Paso! This unique event features a 2-mile race where participants compete against their own handicap times, established based on previous performances over the last two years. With the race starting at 8:00 A.M. and the start line closing at 8:05 A.M., runners will have the chance to challenge themselves and track their progress on the same scenic course each month.
Whether you're a seasoned athlete or a beginner looking to improve your running skills, the Nielson Challenge is designed to accommodate everyone. The innovative handicap system, developed by Bob Royse, favors those who are new to running or training hard, making it a fantastic opportunity for all levels to shine. Each month, the runner who shows the most improvement over their handicap will earn a coveted Nielson shirt, proudly donated by local supporter Michael Schenk of EON Studios. Join us for a fun-filled day of running, camaraderie, and personal growth in the heart of Colorado Springs!
Whether you're a seasoned athlete or a beginner looking to improve your running skills, the Nielson Challenge is designed to accommodate everyone. The innovative handicap system, developed by Bob Royse, favors those who are new to running or training hard, making it a fantastic opportunity for all levels to shine. Each month, the runner who shows the most improvement over their handicap will earn a coveted Nielson shirt, proudly donated by local supporter Michael Schenk of EON Studios. Join us for a fun-filled day of running, camaraderie, and personal growth in the heart 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 5th September 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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