Headstarts
So that people of all ages can compete in this race on a more or less equitable basis some runners are allowed to begin the race before others. The following table indicates how many Headstart minutes each entrant will receive based on gender and age. Headstart minutes are based on years of historical data of actual times and records of male and female runners. Compiled and interpreted by Bill Rus, the race's official handicapper, the information is presented to the committee for review annually. Typically at least eight of the ten top finishers have been from different handicap groups.
2025 Headstarts
The 2024 race was competitive and fast, but only one single age record was set. The times for the top five runners averaged roughly one minute slower than the single-age records.
Observations and Recommendations for 2025:
The handicaps again produced a balanced field among top runners. Four women and six men comprised the top 10 places. Together these runners spanned each decade from their 20s to their 70s.
- Women in their 20s, 40s, 50s and 60s placed in the top 10.
- Chris Lundy set a new single age record with a stellar effort, besting Shirley Matson’s record for females age 53 by 45 seconds. This record does not merit a change in the head start for this group.
- Clara Peterson (40) tied Gail Scott’s record set in 1986.
For the 2025 race:
- For women aged 19-24, add one minute to the head start (move from group P to group N).
- Continue to reduce the head start minutes by one minute for the winners of the last three races:
- Chris Lundy – one minute for winning in 2024
- Paddy O’Leary – one minute for winning in 2023
- Eddie Owens – one minute for winning in 2022
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