Turkey Trot Predict

About this event

This is a prediction run with a staggered start format.

When you register, you predict your finish time for the 5K course. The clock is set to the slowest predicted finish time of all the runners and is set to count down. You start running when the clock reaches your prediction time.

With this format, the slower runners start first, followed by the middle of the pack runners, and finally the fast runners. If everyone predicts their time perfectly, they will finish at the same time.

Of course, that never happens, as some runners are overly optimistic with their prediction, while others are overly conservative. Once the last runner starts, i.e., the one with the fastest predicted time, the clock is covered.

Thus runners cannot see the time on the clock when they are approaching the finish line, and therefore, don’t know if they should speed up or slow down before the finish line. This creates a very unique racing strategy. If you find yourself alone along the course in the latter portions of the race, it means your prediction was way off. If you find yourself amongst a mass of runners finishing close to one another at the finish, it means you’ve predicted well.

Runners are not allowed to wear watches or carry phones or other time keeping devices.

The countdown clock will be set so that it reads 50 minutes and counting down at 10:00 AM. Thus, if your predicted finish time is more than 50 minutes, you will start prior to 10:00 AM. If your predicted finish time is 40 minutes, you will start at 10:10 AM. If your predicted finish time is 30 minutes, you will start at 10:20 AM, etc.

NO ANIMALS, NO BABY JOGGERS/STROLLERS, NO EARBUDS/HEADPHONES, NO BIKES/TRIKES

PLEASE RESPECT THE SAFETY OF ALL

Awards

The six runners that finish closest to their predicted time take home a turkey.

The runner furthest from their prediction takes home a Cornish game hen.

From Pikes Peak Road Runners