The Age Grader - 24th July 2022

After a successful template event in 2021 we will be holding this event again in 2022. It is on an officially measured road course of 5 miles. Overall positions (and prizes) will be based on age-adjusted times and not actual time (for explanation see below). 

However, we will also publish actual race time results, as these will be needed for use with UKA 'Power Of Ten' rankings. This event is also suitable for anyone looking to gain a PB on the flat 5 mile course. 

This event will we feel will attract seasoned racers and so we are not providing a medal but instead: hot drinks and cakes, a beer, a banana and a sports drink for all. 

How it will work

After collecting your 2 race numbers (colour coded for your age category - one worn on the front and the other on your back) you will line up in pens marked out in the field according to age groups. Sen, Vet 40, Vet 50, Vet 60 etc. The timing mats will be set out on the start line on the road some 40m away. You walk from the field onto the road when instructed in your group towards the start and just before the timing mats you start running. This is a 'rolling start'. Seniors go off first (under 40's), then Vet 40's, then Vet 50's and so on. You run the 5 mile loop on country lanes and the finish is approx 30m within the field where you first lined up. Since you start with all the others in your age category, and you are all wearing the same colour coded race number, you will know at a glance who you are racing against. You may of course overtake others wearing a different colour number - these runners are younger than you. 

How it will work

After collecting your 2 race numbers (colour coded for your age category - one worn on the front and the other on your back) you will line up in pens marked out in the field according to age groups. Sen, Vet 40, Vet 50, Vet 60 etc. The timing mats will be set out on the start line on the road some 40m away. You walk from the field onto the road when instructed in your group towards the start and just before the timing mats you start running. This is a 'rolling start'. Seniors go off first (under 40's), then Vet 40's, then Vet 50's and so on. You run the 5 mile loop on country lanes and the finish is approx 30m within the field where you first lined up. Since you start with all the others in your age category, and you are all wearing the same colour coded race number, you will know at a glance who you are racing against. You may of course overtake others wearing a different colour number - these runners are younger than you. 

Results The main event results will be ordered for age adjusted time and not actual time (based on whole number of years old on the day of the race). Prizes will be given to the top 5 men and ladies.  Additionally, prizes will be given to the winner in each age category (this based on their actual time and in 10 years age cats - male and female). We will also publish a set results reflecting actual race time for use by UKA #CENSOR# and Run Britain rankings.  Included in the age-graded results will be the 'age graded percentage', since this levels the playing field in terms of gender as well as age. No prizes will be given to the highest percentages as the winners will be the same as the winners mentioned previously.

Wave starts In order to make the competition within each category more obvious, we will start age categories off in waves. Starting first will be any Seniors, then V40's, then V50's, then V60's and so on... up to the oldest entrant (yes there may be an 80+ wave). In this first 'template' year we plan to use 10 years age categories but if the event is well received and we continue next year we will move to 5 year age categories. Each runner will have two bib numbers that are colour coded to each age category. One to be worn on the chest and another on the back. 

On-line entry only. NO entries on the day. 

UKA permit - results will go on #CENSOR#

5 mile AUKCM measured route - approx one lap. 

Fully marked and marshaled

Super flat and fast route

Quiet country lanes

Collect race number and chip on the day from marquee 

You may ask: What is the difference between Age-Adjusted times and Age Graded percentage. Age adjusted times take into account just the age of the runner. Age Graded Percentage takes into account both the age and gender of the runner. We use age adjusted times for the main results currently as we feel competitors can relate better to a time. 

The Run Route

The event will be based on a 5 mile loop near Oldbury on Severn that we've used before a couple of times on other events (our regulars will know it well) - running through the hamlet of Shepperdine. It's all on very flat quiet country lanes and if you look at a 1:50k OS map the route crosses no contours whatsoever - being on the flats near the river Severn. Parking and the event HQ is in a field very close to the start so there will be the minimum of fuss for you getting yourself ready to run and leaving the event after. We will have plenty of toilets and hot drinks/cakes as usual