Nielson Challenge
- Date Sat 3rd January 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 the excitement at the Nielson Challenge taking place on Saturday, January 3rd, 2026, in the beautiful setting of Colorado Springs, El Paso! This monthly 2-mile race invites participants of all skill levels to compete against their handicap, established from previous runs over the last two years. Whether you're a beginner looking to improve or an experienced runner aiming to gauge your fitness, this unique format ensures everyone has a fair chance to shine.
Starting at 8:00 A.M. with the start line closing at 8:05 A.M., runners will tackle the same scenic course each month, providing a fantastic opportunity to track progress and improvements. Those who demonstrate the most significant advancements against their handicap will be rewarded with a stylish Nielson shirt, generously donated by local business EON Studios. Don't miss this chance to challenge yourself, meet fellow runners, and experience the thrill of racing in a supportive and encouraging atmosphere!
Starting at 8:00 A.M. with the start line closing at 8:05 A.M., runners will tackle the same scenic course each month, providing a fantastic opportunity to track progress and improvements. Those who demonstrate the most significant advancements against their handicap will be rewarded with a stylish Nielson shirt, generously donated by local business EON Studios. Don't miss this chance to challenge yourself, meet fellow runners, and experience the thrill of racing in a supportive and encouraging atmosphere!
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 3rd January 2026 (8:00AM MST)
Free
Reviews
Done this event?
First-hand event reviews from people who have been there, done that and got the breathable T-shirt, really help everyone choose their next event.
Add a reviewLocation
North Monument Valley Park, W Fontanero Street & Culebra Ave, Colorado Springs, 80903, CO, United States
Who's In
See who else is doing this event
Be the first
No-one has marked this event as 'Doing' or 'Maybe' yet. Will you be the first?
Nielson Challenge
