The Parkrun cup is a handicap event where runners compete against their own PB’s in a knockout competition. Runners are drawn against another runner at random with the winner of each tie progressing to the next round and the loser… well, losing! The 2020/21 event was won by our Club Chair, Ben Robins!
Each round runners are drawn at random against another participating runner. Once the draw has been made runners must arrange directly with their competitor (via Facebook/ email/ phone/ website/ in person – personal information will be shared privately) when they would like to race at the designated course during the corresponding time frame. Runners must run the course on the same date and you will have a choice of 3 weekends to compete with the exception of the final, which will require all finalists to be present. If this is causing difficulties, you may run at on separate dates if both runners consider differences in conditions and strategy and still consent. Should you run the course more than once during the time frame, your first result will be the one that counts.
But what happens if I am drawn against Sam Robins?!
Each runners ranking will be their quickest parkrun time from 2021/22 from any UK course. Runners will race their own PB rather than that of their opponent. The 2 competitors run in the same parkrun and the winner is the runner who knocks the most off their PB or is closest to their PB meaning the competition favours newer runners and those with more room to improve.
E.g Suzzi Garnett 2021 PB = 21.06 vs Kath Owen 2021 PB = 28.57
Scenario 1: Suzzi runs 20.50 and Kath runs 28.00. Both runners have PB’ed but Kath wins as she has PB’ed by 57 seconds compared to Suzzi’s mere 16 seconds.
Scenario 2: Suzzi runs 22.00 and Kath runs 29.57. Neither runner has PB’ed but Suzzi wins as she is closer to her PB than Kath (54 seconds out as opposed to Kath’s 60 seconds out)
Scenario 3: Suzzi runs 22.00 and Kath runs 28.00. Kath wins as she has PB’ed and Suzzi is 54 seconds under her PB.
The winner goes through to the next round and the loser crashes out. A new random draw will be created each round. The handicap will be created at the time of each draw so if you do get faster during the competition, your handicap will change! In the final the runner who runs the biggest PB or is closest to their handicap wins overall.
2022 Rounds
Enter/ complete any parkrun by Saturday 5th March.
Live draw for round 1 – Wednesday 9th March
Round 1: 40-60 runners. Cross Flatts Parkrun (3 weekends to complete – 12th March, 19th March, 26th March)
Round 2: 20-30 runners. Chevin Parkrun (3 weekends to complete – 2nd April, 9th April, 16th April)
Round 3: 10-15 runners. Woodhouse Moor Parkrun (3 weekends to complete – 23rd April, 30th April, 7th May)
Round 4: 5-8 runners, Final, Potternewton Parkrun with CAR takeover (fixed date – 14th May)
Additional Info
- Runners who are unable to compete due to injury or unable to arrange a tie must concede to their opponent. If possible an alternate opponent or ‘lucky loser’ may be found by the organisers, but if not the runner will receive a bye to the next round.Any runner receiving a bye must still run the designated course in designated window to proceed
- If an odd number of runners enter, one lucky runner will receive a bye in round 1. From there on there will be no byes, a lucky loser will be drawn in the event of an odd number of runners in the draw
- Runners who do not have a parkrun time mustrun a parkrun before the competition starts to attain their handicap. No parkrun time, no draw
- Runners who do not have parkrun time from 2021-22 will ideally run a parkrun before the competition starts to gain an up to date handicap. In the event this does not occur the handicap will be generated from the most recent year’s best time – this could be as long ago as 2020 and many runners will have been in better shape pre-lockdown than post so is not necessarily advantageous!
- Runners can enter via the event page on the club website
- All entrants will receive 10 Pool C points in the Club Championships (even if they go out in the first round!!)
- There is a trophy and eternal parkrun cup glory for the winner