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.
2026 Headstarts
Five single age records were set in the 2025 Race. The top three runners each set records.
Observations and Recommendations for 2026:
The headstarts again produced a balanced field among top runners. Four women and six men comprised the top 10 places. Together these runners spanned ages from teen through 60s.
- Women set three records:
- Audrey MacLean broke the record at age 19 by 7 minutes four seconds. While Audrey‘s time is extraordinary, it is in line with the expectation set in the headstarts. Her confirmation of that level of performance is welcomed, and reinforces the head start for age 19. No adjustment is necessary.
- Chris Lundy broke Diana Fitzpatrick’s record for age 54 by 1 minute 24 seconds. This is in line with prior records; no adjustment needed.
- Diana Fitzpatrick broke Jamie Rivers age 67 record by 33 seconds. This too is comparable to prior elite records.
- The six men who finished in the top 10 were in their 20s, 30’s, and 60’s. Two records were set among men in 2025. No head adjustment is necessary.
- Mark Tatum beat Bryan Pilcher's single age record for age 65 by ten seconds.
- Lloyd Kahn bettered Jack Kirk’s record for age 90 by more than 2 minutes.
Recommendations for the 2026 race:
- For woman aged 23–24, subtract one minute from the head start (move from group N to group P). Audrey MacLean’s performance at age 19, confirmed the peak performance curve in nearby ages, indicating that the head starts for ages 23 and 24 should be adjusted.
- Continue to reduce the head start minutes by one minute for the winners of the last three races:
- Audrey MacLean - one minute for winning in 2025.
- Chris Lundy – one minute for winning in 2024.
- Paddy O’Leary – one minute for winning in 2023.
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