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January Handicap Info - Prediction Run
Saturday, January 16 @ 8:30 AM
It’s a new year and new decade and what better way to celebrate that than our annual handicap prediction run. This handicap run has become a club favorite over the years with tales of frigid temperatures, fear-inducing hills, and wonderful hospitality provided by hosts Al and Katrina Enciso. The 2010 version of this race didn’t disappoint in any of the above categories except temperature. If you came expecting and/or hoping for sub-20 degree temperatures, you were out of luck as the day was a beautiful spring-like day that made standing around outside actually possible.
For those not familiar with the prediction run, each runner makes a prediction of how fast they think they will run the handicap course that morning. There is then a mass start and the person with a finish time closest to their predicted time is declared the winner. No watches are allowed! Al has been the master of coming up with interesting courses for this event and the hills he includes have become somewhat legendary around the club. This has made the prediction aspect of this race much more challenging. But, as the courses have become harder, the prediction skills of our racers have become sharper. This year we had four people whose finish time was within a minute of their prediction and the race for the winner came down to a matter of seconds. First-time handicapper, Ruth, was 23 seconds faster than her predicted time, making her the winner. She narrowly edged out Jean Herbert and Glenda Muirhead who both were within 27 seconds of their prediction. So if anyone is looking for pacers for an event, I think you know where you can find them!
One of the most enjoyable aspects of the handicap is the post-race potluck. It seems that Al and Katrina’s handicap brings out all of the resident chefs and we enjoy some incredible food afterwards. It is a great reward for the effort expended running the hills of Placitas.
Speaking of food and hills, you won’t want to miss our February handicap which will feature food, beer, and NO hills! We’re doing something a little different with this one by having a flat, 5K run at 11am on February 20, 2010. The run will start at Hallenbrick Brewery (I-25 and Jefferson area) and the reward for finishing will be some tasty brats and veggie burgers. Hallenbrick will be open for business, as well, for those who wish to enjoy some adult beverages with their brats and burgers. Mark your calendars and we’ll see you there!
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