FORMAT and RULES 2009 – (unchanged for 2010)
As amended and ratified by members at AGM 14.12.08

1. FORMAT.

The Club Championship Handicap Series is conducted over nine 10km handicap races held monthly from February to October. Upon completion of the handicap series, the Club Champion will be determined as the eligible runner with the highest accumulated Club Championship points score based upon each runners best seven results (amended 14.12.08) during the series. The rules governing a runner’s eligibility and the allocation of championship points are defined below.

Eligible runners are allocated a handicap time at the discretion of the club handicappers who will use all the information at their disposal to determine a fair and equitable handicap for all runners.

The Handicap race dates are set down in the annual Run Calendar, but where possible are scheduled for the fourth Sunday of each month.

The handicap races will alternate between staggered starts, based upon the allocated handicap times, and mass starts, where all runners start at the same time. In a staggered start race, the handicap finishing positions are largely determined by the runner’s across-the-line position, subject to eligibility corrections. In a mass start race, the handicap allowance is calculated into the handicap results at the completion of the race.

2. Definition of Eligible Runner

There are two criteria which determine a runners eligibility to compete in the Club Championship Handicap Series. The eligibility criteria are: financial status in the club; and qualification times recorded in CJC Handicap races – either 5km, 10km, or 16km (amended 14.12.08) to allow the handicappers to assess relative performance and allocate a handicap time.

To be awarded Club Championship points for a Handicap Race a runner must have paid their Annual Membership Fees before the race. Therefore, to be eligible for the maximum points on offer in a season a runner should have paid their Club Fees before the first Handicap in February.

Qualification times are required to be set by new members to the club, and by existing members whose eligibility has lapsed. Runners posting qualification times must race to the best of their ability at the time to permit an accurate assessment of their performance level. New members are required to post two (2) qualification times in CJC Handicap races within a 12 month period (amended 14.12.08).
Existing members whose eligibility has lapsed by missing five (5) or more consecutive Handicaps are required to post one (1) re-qualification time (amended 14.12.08).

3. Club Championship Points.

At the completion of each race, eligible runners are awarded Club Championship points according to their finishing position in the race according to the following scale:
Position           Points
1st                    50
2nd                    48
3rd                    46
4th                    45
5th                    44        and so on, one point less per position.

The minimum points allocated to an eligible runner who completes the course in a handicap race is 5 points.

4. Stagger Start Races - Starts 

Each runner’s handicap time and start time will be posted well before the start of the handicap race. It is the responsibility of each runner to register with the handicappers before the run and be informed of their handicap and start time.

The handicap race time will be displayed by a race digital clock.

The handicappers will announce very audibly a 5 minute pre-race start warning. The handicappers will subsequently announce very audibly the start of the handicap race. Each runner must assemble at the start line and commence the race at their start time.

Any early breaks, i.e. a runner starting before their allocated start time, will incur time penalties at the discretion of the handicappers. It is again stressed that it is the responsibility of each runner to be aware of their start time and the actual time at hand on the race digital clock.

5. General Rules

The “if a runner breaks their given handicap time by more than 2 minutes” rule used in recent years has been scrapped (amended 14.12.08).

Each runner must run in accordance with the RTA Road Rules, not impede traffic, and be aware of pedestrians and their own safety.

Each runner must run facing the traffic when running through Airds and down The Parkway to the finish. Zigzagging across roads is prohibited. Time penalties may be incurred if this rule is not adhered to.

If a runner upon reviewing their allocated handicap time believes that they can beat that time with relative ease, then they are morally obligated to inform the handicappers of this so that their time can be re-assessed.

Cost    Adults - $2.00 per handicap race, juniors – no charge