Click Here for a Course Map The course for 2012 will be the same as was used in 2011. It will be a loop course on the North side of Alfred Harrell Highway. The start and finish will be in the CALM parking lot.

Rules for the BTC Summer Series Handicap Race

***NEW THIS YEAR – SEASON PASS***

CHIP TIMING WILL BE USED

RULES HAVE CHANGED, PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

RULE CHANGE NO. 1:       

NO ELECTRONIC LISTENING DEVICES OF ANY KIND – THAT

 MEANS, NO WATCHES, NO IPHONES, NO IPODS, NO MUSIC

The reason for doing this is two-fold.  The spirit of the Summer Series is to run your race without any outside influences as to your pace. That is why watches are outlawed.  With the advent of technology, there are many devices that provide the runner with time and pace; therefore, to be fair to all, we are banning all listening devices for this 5k event.  Also, there is a distinct safety issue.  This event can get crowded and part of it is on single track trail. There are persons of all abilities on the course and participants overtaking those in front of them.  Therefore, to ensure the safety of all participants listening devices are banned for this event. 

Any participant using a listening device or wearing a watch will be disqualified.

We will have a collection box at the start line with tags to designate owners of devices that we will hold for the duration of the event, or you may leave your device in your car. 

BTC will not be responsible for lost or stolen devices.

RULE CHANGE NO. 2 –

SEASON PASS OPTION – In order to reduce wait time in line we are making a SEASON PASS available to BTC members and non-members (not available for the student rate). This is a limited time offer.  This option will be available at Races #1 and #2 ONLY. You MUST sign up for all 6 races. You will get one race discounted if you register for all 6 races at Race #1.  If you wish to get the SEASON PASS, please go directly to the table marked SEASON PASS.

The advantages of the SEASON PASS:

1.     You keep your bib number throughout the series.

2.     You avoid waiting in line at all subsequent races. No need to check in!

3.     You can either obtain your new handicap via the BTC Summer Series website when posted OR You can check the board devoted to the SEASON PASS owners on race day. 

4.     Then just show up prior to your assigned handicap time and race!

If you lose or forget your bib, you will pay an additional $2.00 and have to wait in line to re-register.

RULE CHANGE NO. 3 –

Sandbagging Rule

For any race series participant who improves their handicap time by 5 minutes or more, the following will occur:

1.     Regardless of your finishing place in that run, you will be considered as if you ran a 31 minute tape time and placed accordingly.

2.     Your placement in that run WILL COUNT as one of your 3 scoring races for consideration in the overall Top Ten finishing. On any subsequent race after the first race penalized where further improvement occurs, this same penalty will be enforced.

3.     The race director has full discretion to enforce the rule.

4.     If you do not finish a race you will be awarded last place.

Therefore, you are encouraged to run/walk/jog/wog to your best ability at each Summer Series race.  Running below your ability level for your qualifying run and then running hard for subsequent runs to move up in the ranking is Sandbagging and you will be penalized.  We realize that people accidentally sandbag, i.e. started the event untrained, injured, or not feeling well and then improve substantially, but the sandbagging rules applies to all to weed out the participants who intentionally try to take advantage of the handicap system.

RULE CHANGE NO. 4 –

The start/finish line will be in the same location this year (not a separate start/finish like last year).  Therefore PLEASE STAY OUT OF ALL MARKED OFF AREAS AND LISTEN TO RACE VOLUNTEERS.  IF YOU ARE TOO CLOSE TO THE CHIP TIMING MAT SYSTEM IT WILL READ YOUR CHIP AND YOUR TIME WILL NOT BE ACCURATE.

PLEASE DO NOT WARM UP OR COOL DOWN NEAR THE CHIP TIMING MATS.

REGISTRATION:  Starts at 6:10 p.m. and closes at 6:50 p.m.  You will be given your handicap time and you will be given a chip timing bib at the registration table after payment of the race fees and signature on the waiver.  IF YOU ARE NOT WEARING YOUR BIB ON THE FRONT OF YOUR SHIRT OR SHORTS YOU WILL NOT BE COUNTED WHEN YOU CROSS THE FINISH LINE.

***Coaches can pre-register their students on a per race basis!  In order to make the “new runner” line move more smoothly, coaches, upon request from the race director, will be provided with a form to have their students fill out and present at the new runner table.  It would be helpful if the coaches would also collect the money from their students and present the form and money at the same time.

HANDICAPS:  The “Goal” of this race is to have all runners finish at the same time (7:30 p.m.). 

            On Summer Series Race No. 1 ALL participants will start at 7:00 p.m. This is your qualifying run that establishes your handicap. You should run this race with the same energy and enthusiasm as any other race.  See Sandbagging Rule above.  

            After Race No. 1 All “New Runners” (anyone who has not yet participated in the Series and this is their first run) will all start at 15 minutes after 7:00 p.m. (after all the handicapped runners have started.  This is one of the ways we designate you as “new runners” for statistical purposes. Please do not leave early.

All participants will be given an initial handicap based upon your first race of the series. It will be based upon your scratch time (actual running time) subtracted from 30 minutes.  For example, if your scratch time is 20 minutes, your handicap will be 10 minutes (30 min – 20 min = 10 min) and your start time would be 7:10 p.m. so that you would finish at 7:30 p.m.  If however, your scratch time is 40 minutes; your handicapped start time would be at 6:50 p.m. (30 min – 40 min = -10 minutes).  If you improve your best time your handicap will be adjusted to reflect that, otherwise your handicap does not change.

Your Handicap time will be written on your bib. You are responsible for starting at your handicap time.  Times will be announced on the PA system.  If you miss your time, start your run at your earliest opportunity.  DO NOT LEAVE EARLY as it affects the handicap system. If you do not understand your handicap, please see a volunteer.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU ARRIVE EARLY AND REGISTER SO THAT YOU DO NOT MISS YOUR HANDICAPPED START (see SEASON PASS OPTION above).  SOME RUNNERS WILL START BEFORE 7:00 P.M. AND OTHERS WILL START AFTER.  YOU WILL BE GIVEN YOUR HANDICAPPED TIME WHEN YOU REGISTER.  BE SURE TO GET TO THE START LINE PRIOR TO YOUR START TIME BEING ANNOUNCED.  NO ALLOWANCE WILL BE MADE FOR LEAVING LATE. 

CHIP TIMING:

All bibs have the chip imbedded in them.  You must wear your bib during the race and it must be displayed on the front of your shirt or shorts. 

Once you have crossed the finish line, please stay in the finish chute and walk to the end of the chute. Please do not stop in the chute.  We have a lot of runners all finishing at the same time and need to keep all traffic flowing through smoothly.  

Unless you are a SEASON PASS participant, you will dispose of your bib and chip at the end of the race and be assigned a new bib/chip at the next race.  ALL BIB NUMBERS (except Season Pass) will be wiped clean after the race and you cannot re-use your bib (unless you hold a SEASON PASS).

SCORING:

You score one point for first place, two points for second place, and three points for third place and so on.  The lowest score for three races will determine your total score for placement.  You must run at least three races (after establishing your handicap – a total of 4 races) to place and be eligible for awards.  Awards are given to the top 10 overall lowest cumulative scores.  In addition to the handicap awards, runners with the top 3 scratch times for both male and female will receive an award.

As soon as the results from each race have been compiled they will be posted on the Bakersfield Track Club website (http//:www.bakersfieldtrackclub.com). Keep checking the site until the results are posted. Sometimes it may take a couple of days or a week. Results will also be posted at each race on the side of the Bakersfield Track Club trailer.   

SHIRTS:

            You must run in a total of 3 races (including your qualifying run) to qualify for a shirt.  Shirts will be given out at the last race. You must be present to pick up your shirt or assign someone to pick it up for you. Unclaimed shirts will be sold. 

AWARDS:

            Awards for the Top 10 Overall Finishers and Top 3 male and female scratch times will be given at the Summer Series End-of-Series Awards Party which will be announced near the end of the Series.  Runners who have run in at least 4 or more Summer Series races for the year are invited to attend.  Free Pizza and Soda will be provided compliments of the Bakersfield Track Club.  This is an excellent time to applaud your fellow runners and to provide input about the event to the Race Director. 

            Special announcements will go out to the winners prior to the End of Series Party via e-mail only.  Left over race shirts will be available for sale. 

SPECIAL NOTE: 

This is a fun race. Have fun with it.  Enjoy the race experience and running with your fellow athletes.  This race is set up so that ANYONE can come in first place, whether you are a tortoise or a hare.  Wearing a watch or other device to time yourself is considered cheating.  So many electronic devices provide pace information now that it has become necessary for us to ban ALL listening devices.  This ensures that everyone is on the same page.  This race is designed to test your abilities without outside influences.  Please be courteous to all runners on trail with you and enjoy yourself. 

If you have any questions, please see Bruce Deeter or the Race Director, Lauri Taylor. The race director has final word.

Lauri Taylor

Race Director

(661) 301-0836

taylor0656@sbcgloba.net