Monthly handicap fun runs are held all over the city.  The timed handicap is designed to equalize runners of different abilities.  Each participant (runner or walker) is assigned his or her own start time which remains the same for the duration of the series. In theory, all runners would finish at the same time.  So the idea is to improve upon your own time so you can beat the other runners.  The first person who crosses the finish line receives the same number of points as there are runners.  The second finisher receives one less point and so on.  But everyone receives at least 5 points for participating or volunteering.  We organize potluck meals or go out to eat afterward, and you can have fun in friendly competition with your fellow runners.  Visitors and new members are always welcome!  No charge to anyone. Volunteers are always appreciated. Results including your paces are posted on the handicap page each month. Cumulative points for each runner are also posted so you can track your progress. The year-long handicap series is divided into two six-month series.  The first-half series begins in January and the second-half series begins in July. A free pair of shoes is awarded to the points winner at the end of each series. If this is your first handicap, please contact Shannon or Ed Zanelli at (505) 822-5006 to let them know your normal 5K time.  They will adjust for hills and distance.  If you just don't feel like running hard that day, you get fewer points.  No mercy!  No whining!  If you would like to host a handicap, you are certainly welcome to do so.  Handicaps are normally 3-4 miles with an occasional 5-6 mile course. December Handicap Results ~ Ed Zanelli Two person relay at Academy Hills Park Saturday, December 5 Once upon a midmorn cleary, 28 runners eyes ableary, toed the line at Academy Hills Park for the December handicap to celebrate the joy of running in tights and multiple layers. The temperature at the start had warmed up to 21 degrees Fahrenheit, but still the deafening sound of chattering teeth was unmistakable. The format was a 2-person relay covering almost 7 miles in total, with the second half handicap series championship hanging in the balance. The team rosters included some new faces as well as the welcome return of some of the club mainstays who regularly populate the leaderboard for local races. The handicap was won by Jackie and Wendy with an elapsed time of 1:03:23. The fastest male team was Josh and Alex Gordon (fresh from completing the Cross Country season at Manzano HS) with an actual time of 42:18. The fastest female team was Fay Slattery and Jean Herbert with a time of 46:01. And, the fastest co-ed team was Holly and Jeremy Palmer with a time of 51:46, despite Holly being tackled by her over-exuberant dog Griffin. The fastest teams all received a can of spam for their efforts. The recipients will need to supply their own Tums. Also, Jane Fuller and Marcel Hesch (can somebody please check the results?) were the lucky winners of gift certificates from Fleet Feet. The overall handicap winner (and recipient of an $80 gift certificate towards the purchase of a pair of running shoes) was Wendy Wiggins with 67 points. Due to a clerical error by the handicap director, we will award 2 $40 gift certificates to Kevin Fry and Christian Prout, thanks to the generosity of our President Marcel! The January handicap will be hosted by Al and Katrina Enciso in Placitas. The format will be a prediction run featuring a mass start and confiscation of all watches. David Wilson has reviewed Al's course and has described the route as "diabolical". This is usually a very popular event despite inclement weather. See you then! Team Elapsed Time Start Time Actual Time Points Jackie & Wendy 1:03:23 0:03:40 0:59:43 28 Marcel & Catherine 1:04:41 0:06:56 0:57:45 26 David & Al 1:09:43 0:09:28 1:00:15 24 Holly & Jeremy 1:09:48 0:18:02 0:51:46 22 Amanda & Mike 1:10:17 0:17:00 0:53:17 20 Christian & Kevin 1:10:49 0:26:00 0:44:49 18 Josh & Alex 1:11:18 0:29:00 0:42:18 16 Fay & Jean 1:12:01 0:26:00 0:46:01 14 Robert & RC 1:13:00 0:12:40 1:00:20 12 Maria & Shannon 1:13:26 0:26:40 0:46:46 10 Phil & David 1:13:38 0:29:00 0:44:38 8 Colleen & Kathy 1:13:53 0:23:45 0:50:08 6 Chuck & Jane 1:14:56 1:14:56 5 Max & Carlos 1:15:20 0:25:30 0:49:50 5 Cumulative Handicap Points: Name Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total Points Wendy Wiggins 12 27 28 67 Kevin Fry 6 14 25 18 63 Christian Prout 4 4 13 22 18 61 Catherine Freund 8 19 26 53 Al Enciso 2 9 15 24 50 Marcel Hesch 8 5 26 39 John Farrow 10 11 13 34 Lyndi Spears 14 15 29 Alex Gordon 13 16 29 Fay Slattery 14 14 28 Jackie from DC 28 28 Nate Weir 26 26 Natasha Sutherlin 2 16 6 24 Robert Sanchez 24 24 David Wilson 24 24 Jaynee Quintana 23 23 Richard Knapp 5 17 22 Holly Palmer 22 22 Jeremy Palmer 22 22 Ernie Garcia 21 21 Kathy Kirsling 8 7 6 21 Shannon Zanelli 3 3 5 10 21 Patrice Leddy 3 17 20 Laura Aho 20 20 Amanda 20 20 Mike 20 20 Chris Martin 18 18 Kristen Mullen 18 18 Steve Buerger 18 18 Nicole Buerger 13 5 18 Ed Zanelli 3 3 12 18 David Bernstein 9 8 17 Ken Gant 16 16 Matt Shepard 16 16 Tim Spears 16 16 Roxie Carpenter 3 8 5 16 Rob Walters 16 16 Josh Gordon 16 16 Lisa Gerber 14 1 15 Beth Davenport 5 10 15 Liliana Andrade 15 15 Sue Gerber 14 14 Jean Herbert 14 14 Matt Shike 12 12 Griff Rogers 12 12 Robert Tsinnajinnie 12 12 RC 12 12 Eric Beidermann 11 11 Rhonda Welton 11 11 Alan Overmier 10 10 Richard Overmier 10 10 Kristi Kidder 10 10 Jane Fuller 5 5 10 Chuck Fuller 5 5 10 Maria Ladd 10 10 Laura Biedermann 9 9 Marshall Martin 2 7 9 Kim Welch 9 9 Hector Alvarez 8 8 Fred Beavers 8 8 Phil from ND 8 8 Joe Beman 7 7 Dennis Muirhead 6 6 Larry Ruggles 6 6 Mike Donovan 6 6 Colleen Burns 6 6 Tom Craven 5 5 Max Bernstein 5 5 Carlos (Max's Friend) 5 5 Tim Koehler 4 4 Kelly Fogelman 3 3 Mary Kirsling 3 3