Championship

It is all based on WAVA (World Association of Veteran Athletes) Age Grading figures. WAVA log the world record time over standard distances set by athletes of every age and both genders. Age grading is calculated as the percentage of world record pace for your age and gender. So, if the world record for a 10k by a 50 year old woman is 30 minutes and you (also a 50 year old woman in this example!!) run your 10k in 1 hour, your age grading will be 50%.

Throughout the year, the age grading achieved by every club member in Parkruns, club time trials and any other timed race is recorded. At the end of September, your average age grading for the year is calculated (outliers – for example when you paced slower runners – are excluded!) This is set as your “starting age grading” for the season ahead.

For each of the designated championship races, runners’ age grading figures are calculated. These are then compared with their starting figure for the year. The runner who achieves the highest percentage improvement in that race is awarded 200 points. The next best 199 and so on.

During the year, a runner’s best 8 performances count (i.e. if you do 9 championship races, your lowest score is discarded). As new runners join the club, their recent results (if any) are examined and used to set a starting age grading so they can join in part way through a year. If there are not at least 3 race results available for a runner (for example, because they are new to running) their starting age grading will only be calculated after they have done their first 3 races with the club.

As last year there are no designated marathons in the championship. Instead, any club runner who runs an officially timed marathon may score for that marathon. To do so you MUST nominate it as your championship marathon in advance of the race by informing Mark Armitage (mark.armitage@talktalk.net). The times achieved by all runners in nominated marathons will be used to calculate age gradings and championship points as if they had been achieved in a single event. Only one marathon can score for a runner during the championship year. You must nominate your marathon before it is run.

There are few rules for the championship. One is that you MUST wear your club vest/T-shirt in order to score points. There are permitted exceptions, for example if you are raising money for a charity (in a marathon for example) and have been asked to wear the charity shirt in that event.

It is hoped that the championship will challenge you to run more competitive races, to race over different distances from your ‘usual’ and most of all, to have fun.