Handicap Results:
Event 1 Event 2 Event 2 minis Event 3 Event 4
Our aim is to enthuse Minis (under 5) and Juniors (5 to 15 years) to get out in the fresh air and enjoy running as one of life's skills and pleasures. This year is our 20th anniversary year. The events are organised by 8 or 10 members of the above clubs as well as support from parents/guardians and teachers.
We have 6 events during the summer from April to August, roughly once a month.
There is a measured 2K course for 5-15 years and 500m for the under 5s on the grass area in front of Bushy Sports Club.
Dates for 2023:
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Thursday 27th April
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Thursday 18th May
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Thursday 8th June
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Thursday 22nd June (20th Anniversary Event)
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Thursday 13th July
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Thursday 31st August
Registration starts at 6.50 p.m. and the start time is 7.25 p.m.
Our event is organised as a Handicap Race. Any child who has entered previously will have their Best Time in our records. Based on this, children are given a start time. Preschool (Under 5) Start at zero minutes on the clock and are the first to begin and run one lap (500m).
At 5 minutes the next group of runners begin, (those with the slower personal best). Then progressively other runners at different start times based on their best time. The very fast runners start at around the 12 minute mark.
Each runner has the incentive to chase those who started before them and to improve on their own best time. The handicapping system often works accurately bringing many runners of varying abilities across the finish line within seconds of each other. Very rarely does the fastest runner actually come first and in this system almost anyone who runs well can be first across the line. First time runners set their own Personal Best for the next race and are given a First Timers medal for competing.
Over the 6 race season there is a points’ system that rewards the most improved runners with medals. In this system the most able runners are rarely the ‘Best Improvers’ and so there are also Monthly Awards for the outright fastest girl and boy. There are separate Awards for the Under 5 runners at the end of the season (The Minis). We also have an Achievement Shield for which there is no criteria just someone or a group who/which stands out for those of us on the organising team.
At the end of the season there are also Hero’s Medals for those taking part who have managed to run in all 6 races. In the main I think that the unexpected achievement of the group is that it gives a sense of achievement even if they don’t win medals they can see from the results that they have achieved a PB (Personal Best ) which is what most aim for.
We are still trying to encourage young people with disabilities to take part. We have begun to make a small start but need to improve. We aim to support all disabled or vulnerable children by encouraging them to come and take part either as groups or individuals with their able bodied friends so that they feel an integral part of the whole rather than on the fringes.
Scoring for the Athletes Competition:
4 points : Starting an event
2 points : Beating personal best time within the current season.
10 points - 1 point : First 10 finishers (first timers are excluded).
The highest number of points over the course of the season wins.
Mob Trophy:
All athletes within a team score their points.
1 points : Starting an event
1 points : Beating personal best time within the current season.
10 points - 1 point : First 10 finishers (first timers are excluded).
The highest number of points over the course of the season wins.
Team Trophy:
Each event has a winner and the first 6 teams score 6 points - 1 point respectively.
Within each event, the first 5 members of each team scores (first timers are excluded). The positions for all eligible athletes are added together and the team with the lowest score wins the event.
Teams which do not field the full 5 members score a position equal to the last position (+1) for each missing team member.
The highest number of points over the course of the season wins.
Please could you complete the attached on-line registration form before you come to your first event as this speeds up the registration process on the evening of the event. (The form only has to be completed once, if you have already done so this year then don’t fill it in again.) REGISTRATION FORM FOR THE STRAGGLERS AND RANELAGH JUNIOR RUNNING GROUP
Also please complete the PARENTAL CONSENT FORM and bring it with you when you come to the Club. This form only has to be completed once, if you have already submitted it then you don’t need to do it again.
Please click HERE if you would like to order food for after the event.
Rules for Participation
In order to participate in the Junior Events all parents/guardians must have completed and signed a consent/medical form in case of emergencies for each participant as required by schools.
Adults should be present to supervise their child/children. Stragglers cannot accept responsibility for children taking part with regard to personal accident or loss of property.