North Monument Valley Park, W Fontanero Street & Culebra Ave, Colorado Springs CO
Saturday, June 6th, 2026
Nielson Challenge
Date: June 6, 2026
Location: North Monument Valley Park, W Fontanero Street & Culebra Ave, Colorado Springs, CO
URL: Nielson Challenge Registration
Registration Information
- Forever Bib: If you have a Forever Bib there is no need to register. You are already pre-registered each month.
- Start Time: Race starts at 8:00 A.M.
- Start Line Closure: The start line closes at 8:05 A.M.
- Race Frequency: This is a 2-mile race held the first Saturday of each month.
Race Format
- Handicap System: 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, favoring beginning and slower runners. Click here for an explanation of the handicap algorithm.
- Winning Criteria: The person who improves the most from their handicap time is the winner.
Racing Experience
- Inclusivity: The handicap favors beginner runners or those who are training hard, leading to significant time improvements over the same course.
- Course Familiarity: It’s the same 2-mile course each month, allowing runners to gauge their fitness level under similar conditions.
- Data Tracking: Runners can effectively monitor their running fitness from month to month.
- Open to All: The race is beneficial for both novice and experienced runners.
Awards
- Monthly Recognition: At each monthly race, the runner who improves the most over their handicap earns a Nielson shirt.
- Shirt Donor: The shirts are generously donated by Michael Schenk of EON Studios, located at 836 N Institute in Colorado Springs.
- Contact: EON Studios can be reached at 633-7986 for all screen printing needs.
- Family Tradition: Michael gets his exercise on a bicycle, while his wife Susan does the running in the family.
