A list of all runs in our club season is also available.
Handicapped races
Most club runs are handicapped, with the slower runners starting first and the faster runners starting last. We aim for the majority of the field to finish within three minutes of each other.
In simplistic terms the handicap is based on your best 5km race pace over the last 15 races. When a race is longer than 5km the pace is adjusted back to an equivalent 5km pace.
The more races you do, the more likely you will be racing for a win.
Through our handicapping we aim to provide more motivation to all members to continue to race and enjoy their sport.
By-Law 11 regarding marked improvement will be enforced by the handicappers and the protest co-ordinators.
Magic Money
Each week a group of six runners who finish close together, but outside the top 20 in a handicap race, are chosen to race for $35 at the following handicap race.
If chosen, you will run off your normal handicap and the first runner of the six to cross the finish line wins the prizemoney.
A red ribbon will be worn front and back to distinguish you from the rest of the field. Please collect them from the Invitation table before 8:40 a.m.
Sealed Handicap Series
The club’s sealed handicap series will be held mid-season with 4 races over 5,000m, 8,000m, 10,000m and 15,000m at least a fortnight apart. All are SCRATCH START.
Sealed Series Races are:
During the season, Sealed Series points are available on the Races page, but after the last race, final results will be announced at Presentation Night.
Series Guidelines
- The Committee will decide the field divisions
- To be eligible for the series prize money, runners must complete at least three races
- The handicappers will split the field into the number of divisions decided by the Committee
- Runners will be handicapped according to their kilometre rate over the past one and a half seasons. Penalties for winning and placing in open races are not carried into the series. The Sealed Series handicaps are known only to the handicappers and are not released.
- Handicappers will have the power to re-handicap runners within the Sealed Series if they improve markedly on their expected kilometre rate in comparison with the majority of the field.
- The winner for each race will be the runner whose time compares most favourably with their expected time.
- In each race, the winner will be awarded half a point, second will be awarded 2 points, third 3 points, fourth 4 points and so on.
- A sash and prize money of $60 will be awarded to the winner of the back, middle and front marker division races. A cash prize of $20 will be awarded to the winner of the newcomers division races.
- To decide placings for the for the series, the runner with the lowest number of points from their best 3 runs will be the winner, second lowest number of points will be second and so on.
- At series end overall points will be recalculated and given to only those that are eligible for the overall series.
- Results will be announced at the Presentation Night. Prize money for the Series will be allocated to 3rd place except in the newcomer division which will be at the discretion of the committee.
Non-championship races
Teams Race & Alternative 5 km Races:
- For the teams race, runners need to enter by the Sunday prior. Teams are published just prior to the race start.
- On days when the race is over 10 km, an alternative 5 km race is also held. Runners in these 5 km races don’t earn championship points but the run counts towards their total number of club runs. For these 5 km races, all runners start together. Prizemoney is awarded based on handicap times.
The Geelong Half Marathon and Dawnbuster
- The Geelong Cross Country Club also puts on the Geelong Half Marathon (in autumn) and Dawnbuster (on 31st Dec). These are not counted as official club runs, and have separate fees and entry time cut offs.
