An Unusual Race Format, Explained

In most races, everyone starts together and the fastest runners finish first. But not our winter race series.... We start runners individually based on their predicted time, so that everyone will finish at the same time (almost). The end is a mad dash! This race format is unusual, so hopefully these details answer all your questions.

Check-in & Bibs on Race Day Morning

Check-in at least 15 minutes before your race start time. Keep your bib for the entire series. Lost it? No problem, check-in a few minutes early and we’ll get you a replacement.

Check-in with our volunteers the morning of every race, even if you have your bib or are walking without a race bib. If you don’t check-in each race morning, you will not be loaded into the timing app - we will not have your name to call out and you will miss your start time.

Predicted Times

We use an algorithm to predict your time for each race based on your time in the last Catch Me race (even if that was last year). First time runners will predict their own pace. We use this formula developed by Peter Riegel: Time2 = Time1 x (Distance2 / Distance1) ^ 1.06

Race Start

The race starts at 9 a.m. with runners at a pace of 15 min/mile or greater. We continue to start runners individually, ending with the fastest runner. 

Our volunteer timer calls out names at the start, so be nearby at least 5 minutes before your start. You cannot change the start time we provide because our timing system is based on this race format.

No dogs. Strollers welcome. Headphones discouraged.

Race Finish

See that runner in front of you? Chase them down to the finish! Everyone is predicted to finish at approximately the same time, so the racing gets really fun towards the end. The order you finish determines your points for each race.

Points

Earn points for each race. First place gets 25 points, second gets 24 points, and so on until 5 points. All participants, first time racers and volunteers get 5 points.The better your performance relative to your predicted time, the better chance you have of scoring high points.

The more races you run, the more points you earn. So run as many races as you can.

Is this your first Catch Me race? 

You will predict your own time for your first race. All first time racers earn 5 points, regardless of race finish place. Everyone needs to have at least one official Catch Me race on the books for us to calculate your predicted time and earn the big points.