Nielson Challenge

Nielson Challenge

Date and Location

• Date: 2026-08-01
• Location: North Monument Valley Park, W Fontanero Street & Culebra Ave, Colorado Springs, CO
• Race URL: Nielson Challenge Race Information

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. THE START LINE CLOSES AT 8:05 A.M.

Race Description

• Distance: This is a 2 mile race held the first Saturday of each month.
• 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.
• Algorithm: The handicap time is calculated using an algorithm developed by Bob Royse, and it’s geared to favor a beginning runner and the slower runners. Click here for an explanation of the handicap algorithm.

Winning Criteria

• Improvement: Once you have an established handicap, you are racing against your handicap time.
• Winner: The person who improves the most from their handicap time is the winner.
• Training Focus: The handicap favors beginning or slower runners who are putting in quality training time.
• Fitness Tracking: The race is good for established runners as well, providing a basis to check your running fitness month to month.

Awards

• Monthly Award: At each monthly race, the person who improves the most over their handicap earns a Nielson shirt.
• Donor: The shirts are generously donated by Michael Schenk of EON Studios, located at 836 N Institute in Colorado Springs (633-7986).
• Support Local: Visit EON Studios for all of your screen printing needs.
• Running Family: Michael gets his exercise on a bicycle, while his wife Susan does the running in the family.