Nielson Challenge

🏃‍♀️ Nielson Challenge Overview

IF YOU HAVE A FOREVER BIB THERE IS NO NEED TO REGISTER. YOU ARE ALREADY PRE-REGISTERED EACH MONTH.

⏰ Race Details

• Race Start: 8:00 A.M.
• Start Line Closure: 8:05 A.M.
• Location: North Monument Valley Park, W Fontanero Street & Culebra Ave, Colorado Springs, CO.
• Date: December 6, 2025

🏅 Race Format

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.

• Base Time: The first time you run this event, you'll establish a base time for yourself.
• Handicap Calculation: 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 for an explanation of the handicap algorithm.
• Winning: 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.

👟 Runner Types

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.

• Course Consistency: It's the same 2 mile course each month.
• Fitness Benchmark: 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.

For more information, visit the race page: Nielson Challenge