Senior Club Championships 2024
The 2024 club championship follows the tried and tested format from previous years. With some minor tweaks. Please see below for full details…
ELIGIBILITY AND POINTS
There will be the usual variation on a theme of 12 designated club championship races between March and November 2024. Plus, as a trial this year, we have a bonus 13th race that was very well attended by club members last year: The Black Rock 5. Hopefully this will result in even more people achieving the required 5 races for the Club Championship.
To be eligible for the club championship prizes, you must complete at least 5 of the designated races. 100 points will be awarded for the first Linlithgow AC athlete, 99 for 2nd place and so on. This is based on chip times where available, otherwise gun time/ finishing order. Males and females are scored separately.
Athletes are scored on their best 5 race positions.
Prizes will be awarded to both the top 3 highest scoring male and female athletes when all races have been completed as well as the handicap leaders (see ‘handicap’ section).
There are some “open” events (for example, you may complete any marathon or half marathon within the specified period). For your performance to be eligible, the race must have been accurately marked and be run under an appropriate license (for example Scottish Athletics). Athletes will need to submit their times via email to LACclubchamps@gmail.com.
In the event of a tie, a head-to-head performance will be taken into consideration (first placed runner declared winner), followed by the number of events completed (highest declared winner).
It is an athlete’s responsibility to enter themselves for the designated races and cover the cost.
HANDICAP
There is also a handicap competition, covering the same races. Prizes awarded for both male and female competitors based upon a handicap scoring system. This rewards consistency and improvement, regardless of speed and in previous years has been a very close competition amongst club members.
The handicap for each athlete will be calculated against their fastest 5k/10k time in 2023. To be eligible for this competition, athletes need to submit their best times to this email address LACclubchamps@gmail.com (Salma Windle and Darren Dick will also endeavor to locate this information where possible).
WAVA
There will be individual male and female prizes for the best age-graded performance according to WAVA. This can only be calculated on standard race distances (i.e. 5k, 10k etc)
The leading WAVA scores be will updated and shared as the season progresses up to the end of November. We will accept entries from any licensed race that is accurately measured, provided it is a standard race distance, and that the nature of the course doesn’t give an unfair advantage.
WAVA calculators vary in their results. We’ll standardize on this one.
Cross country
There will be individual male and female prizes for cross country events between the start of January and End of November. Scoring will be done in the same way as the Club Championship. Best of up to 4 races for each athlete will count in male and female competitions, with a minimum of 3 events to qualify for a prize. Currently only the winners have received prizes, but that is subject to review this year, depending on participation levels.
Confirmed races from the end of the 2023 season:
East District League at Bathgate – 27th January
Scottish Nationals – 24th February
Further races will be confirmed in the autumn and will include the East District League events and XC relays. Masters only races won’t be included.
THE 13 EVENTS THAT CONSTITUTE THE 2024 CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP:
The races have been selected to represent the feedback from club members and provide a variety of events spread across the year. The events selected are, in the majority, local races that are easy to enter and represent the types of races that the current club members are targeting. Apologies if your favourite race is not on the list. Also, races may be subject to change if there are cancellations.
Allan Scally 5km – 3rd March (see Innes Chalmers for your entry)
Alloa Half Marathon - 17th March
Grangemouth 10k - 14th April
Dumyat Hill Race – 8th May
Black Rock 5 – 21st June
Dechmont trail 10k - Date TBC
1-mile club race – 6th August at Craigswood
Stride Athletics 5k @ Linlithgow Cycle Track - 20th Sept
Linlithgow 10k - 29th Sept
Bridge of Orchy 10k - TBD November
Any other half marathon - Any time, to end November
Any Marathon - Any time, to end of November
Auldcathie Parkrun - The month of November only (best time taken)
Note: for the month of November, it will be Auldcathie (Winchburgh) parkrun. Only times from the month of November will be included. A summary of everyone’s position in the competition will be given before the start of November. This will give you multiple opportunities at putting down your best time. We’ll likely see the leaderboard change a few times if previous years are anything to go by.
