Langass Christmas Handicap

At Christmas time 2003, Iain 'Corky' MacCorquodale dreamt up the idea of the Langass Christmas handicap.  His aim was to combine Christmas festivities with arduous work.  Thus, one day, the Christmas handicap was born in MacCorquodale's mind and the custom has continued ever since.  The nature of the handicap is relatively complex but all athletes, young and old always have a spectacular time at this annual event.  The idea is that every athlete in NUAAC starts the tough Langass course on a level playing field.  Instead of starting at the same time all athletes should finish within close proximity. Athletes indicate a time, a figure that is usually close to their personal best, or a time that is reasonably close to their form at this period, which they believe they will get on the day.  The athlete who predicts the largest time will start first and the athlete who predicts the smallest time will go last.

Three prizes are awarded on the day.  The main prize is for the first athlete who finishes the course; the other two prizes consist of closest prediction and best overall time respectively.  There is usually a big turnout on the day of the handicap and every year it is hoped that numbers will expand.  The aim of the day is to encourage athletes of all abilities and ages to compete and if they do beat an older, more experienced athlete it can be a mighty confidence boost.

Of course, there are rules.  No watches must be worn at any point of the race and the time must be confirmed and accepted by the coaches and officials on the day so that no competitor can predict a time a significant amount slower than what they are capable of.  The handicap also provides a chance for athletes to practice tactics and play mind games with other competitors

Long may the success of the event continue.