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 "Birdman", 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.

2011 Headstarts

The Dipsea Board of Directors' philosophy of "Competition to win the race" requires constant review and analysis of performance and handicaps. Several changes have been made to the 2011 Dipsea handicaps.

The Handicapper, James Weil, recommended an addition of one handicap minute for boys age 7 to age 11 based on Dipsea Single Age Records. The Dipsea Boards concurs with his recommendation and adopts the increase of one minute for boys age 7 to age 11.

The Board examined other performances as reflected in Dipsea Single Age Records. Specifically, the Board adjusted handicaps for girls age 8 by 2 minutes from 25 minutes to 23 minutes. This adjustment was based on historical improvement in running performance for girls age 8 over their performance at age 7. The adjustment has no correlation to the fact that an 8 year old girl won the race last year and must not be interpretated as a penalty.

Another adjustment affects the handicaps for women ages 52 and 53. The Board based its decision on Dipsea Single Ages Records, external age graded performance records and actual performances of women ages 52 and 53. Hence, handicap minutes for women age 52 and 53 will increase by one minute.

We will retain the winners penalty of 1 minute for 3 years; a "1-1-1 system". A 1 minute penalty will apply to Reilly Johnson (2010 winner), Brian Pilcher (2009 winner) and Roy Rivers (2008 Winner) if they choose to take the 2011 challenge. Head start minutes will continue to be at 25 minute maximum.

- The Dipsea Board of Directors

Head Start Table and Start Times for 2011
Age
 Group Minutes Head Start Section
MEN
WOMEN
 INV DR
6 & under, 74 & over
7 & under, 66 & over
AAA
25
8:30
8:57
73
65
AA
24
8:31
8:58
72
8, 64
A
23
8:32
8:59
71
63
B
22
8:33
9:00
7, 70
62
C
21
8:34
9:01
69
9, 60-61
D
20
8:35
9:02
68
59
E
19
8:36
9:03
67
58
F
18
8:37
9:04
66
56-57
G
17
8:38
9:05
8, 65
10, 55
H
16
8:39
9:06
63-64
53-54
J
15
8:40
9:07
62
11, 52
K
14
8:41
9:08
9, 61
49-51
L
13
8:42
9:09
60
12, 45-48
M
12
8:43
9:10
10, 58-59
13-14, 44
N
11
8:44
9:11
57
15, 41-43
P
10
8:45
9:12
11, 56
16-18, 40
Q
9
8:46
9:13
54-55
19-39
R
8
8:47
9:14
12,52-53
---
T
7
8:48
9:15
13,50-51
---
U
6
8:49
9:16
14,48-49
---
V
5
8:50
9:17
15,45-47
---
W
4
8:51
9:18
16,42-44
---
X
3
8:52
9:19
17,38-41
---
Y
2
8:53
9:20
18,31-37
---
Z
1
8:54
9:21
19-30
---
SCR
0
8:55
9:22