Handicapping , in sport and games , is the practice of assigning advantage through scoring compensation or other advantage given to different contestants to equalize the chances of winning. The word also applies to the various methods by which the advantage is calculated. In principle, a more experienced participant is disadvantaged, or a less experienced or capable participant is advantaged, in order to make it possible for the less experienced participant to win whilst maintaining fairness. Handicapping is used in scoring many games and competitive sports, including go , shogi , chess , croquet , golf , bowling , polo , basketball , and track and field events. Handicap races are common in clubs which encourage all levels of participants, such as swimming or in cycling clubs and sailing clubs, or which allow participants with a variety of standards of equipment. Often races, contests or tournaments where this practice is competitively employed are known as Handicaps .
53-641: The Dipsea Race is a trail running event in California , United States . It is the oldest cross-country trail running event and one of the oldest foot races of any kind in the United States. The 7.5 mile (12 km) long Dipsea Race has been held annually almost every year since November 19, 1905, starting in Mill Valley , and finishing at Stinson Beach , in Marin County . Since 1983,
106-648: A "hike" to avoid an AAU ban on women's long-distance races.) took place 1918–1922. In 1907, the final run on the sand was eliminated. In 1983, the race date was changed to the second Sunday in June. The course of the trail was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010, as Dipsea Trail . Due to the COVID-19 pandemic , the Race committee announced that the 2020 Dipsea Race would be cancelled for
159-469: A bet (the "juice" or "vig" taken by the house). For example, Book 1 has Team A as a 3-point favorite, and Book 2 has team B as a 3-point favorite. If a player bets Team B at Book 1, and Team A at Book 2, he will win both bets if either side wins by 2 or fewer points, and will win one bet and lose the other (known as a "side") if either team wins by 3 points. Another strategy, known as arbitrage, or an "arb" or "scalp", involves finding different moneylines for
212-511: A cabin near Muir Woods. Someone proposed racing from Mill Valley to the Inn. Coney and Boas, took up the challenge, setting off on a day in 1904, with bets placed by Club members (Fastest from the train depot at Lyton Square in Mill Valley, to the newly opened Dipsea Inn). Boas won. On a rainy November 19, 1905, the first Dipsea Race was held, on a 7.4-mile course, with 110 runners, by members of
265-606: A distance of greater than 26.2 miles (42.16 km) though 50 km races are generally the closest race distance above a marathon, and are widely thought of as the shortest ultramarathon distance among the trail running community. Races of similar distances often differ significantly in terms of terrain. This makes it difficult to compare performance across different courses. This is in contrast to times over standard distances in road running , such as 10 km or marathon . The International Triathlon Union conducts an annual Cross triathlon Championship race annually. Additionally,
318-463: A formula using advanced statistical techniques that has shown consistency correctly predicting NFL winners. Handicapping, as a profession, is very similar to being a stock analyst . Like Wall Street did in the 1970s, the sports handicapping industry is undergoing a quantitative revolution. Many successful handicappers also use money management systems similar to financial investment professionals. The most popular, and mathematically superior, system
371-834: A permitting process, safety, and environmental concerns. There are many popular races such as the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc in Europe or the Western States Endurance Run in the United States that have been forced to limit entries due to overwhelming demand. These actions can include yielding to uphill traffic, staying on established trails, passing on the left (United States), staying single file, and yielding to fast runners. Some notable trail races include: A growing number of people are participating in solo backcountry trail running trips, carrying an ultralight form of backpacking to allow faster speeds than with
424-522: A player to start a certain number of games ahead or behind in the match. The calculated match average is a handicap calculated for every motorcycle speedway rider. Handicapping in competitive cycling is most commonly used in track cycling and road racing in Australia and New Zealand. Handicap events are rare outside these two countries. In track cycling, distance-based handicaps are typically used. The highest-profile example of this racing format
477-552: A runner obsessed with the race. It is often described as the race where you are "either the hunter or the hunted" where mental toughness is required to overcome not only the 700 steps, the drop into Muir Woods, the Suicide shortcut, and Dynamite and Cardiac hills, but also the handicapped times. Trail running Trail running is a type of running that takes place on outdoor trails , often in mountainous terrain, and often includes significant ascents and descents. Trail running
530-489: A single stage, where competitors are timed over the entire duration of their run, including stops at aid stations. However, trail running stage races also exist. These multiday -stage races usually offer complete support and runner amenities between stages. There are, however, stage races that provide no support apart from water and medical aid, and require competitors to carry all their equipment (food, sleeping bag, change of clothes, compass). The best-known example of such races
583-402: A system wherein players placed bets or money into the cap of a neutral arbiter to reach an agreement as to the relative values of items sought to be traded. In a 'result adjustment' style handicap event, the outcome may be adjusted by some factor determined by the handicap. Some forms of car or yacht racing. In this case, the winner, on elapsed time, may differ from the fastest competitor when
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#1732787870288636-459: A traditional backpack . Running while backpacking has been termed " fastpacking ". These trips can be both difficult and dangerous, depending on length, weather, and terrain. Mountain and fell running (also called hill running, particularly in Scotland ) are sports that combine running and racing off-road over the upland country, where the gradient climbed is a significant component. Fell
689-471: Is a dialect word from the northwest of England where it is popular–especially in the Lake District . Fell races require mountain navigation skills and participants carry survival equipment. Unlike trail running, the routes of fell races are often unmarked so that competitors frequently are able to choose their own route to a checkpoint. The only difference between mountain running and trail running
742-462: Is a discipline governned by World Athletics , which is typically raced over shorter distances, while trail running is overseen by ITRA and includes longer races. The number of organized trail races grew by 1,000% from 2008 to 2018, from 160 to more than 1,800 globally. Runners often cite less impact stress compared to road running, as well as the landscape and non-urban environment, as primary reasons for preferring trail running. This move to nature
795-413: Is achieved by removing one or more pieces from the stronger player's side. Shogi (Japanese chess) and many of its variants have handicaps . The polo handicap is an estimation of the player's worth to his or her team. It is an overall rating of a player's horsemanship, team play, knowledge of the game, strategy and horses. The difference between the total of the polo handicaps for the players on each team
848-785: Is also reflected in a large increase in competitors in non-traditional/off-road triathlons and adventure racing in the 2010s. When comparing a trail-running shoe to a road-running shoe, trail-running shoes are built for more rugged terrain. They have noticeably thicker outsoles allowing for better traction on the trails and stiffer midsoles for support on uneven and rocky surfaces. Other features like added heel and toe protection and waterproof technologies are also found in trail shoes. Trail-running gear can vary depending on specific trail and weather conditions but can include wicking garments, water bottles, sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, gaiters, insect repellent spray, headlamps, headphones , and ivy block. Some trail runners attach lightweight crampons to
901-581: Is overseen by the International Trail Running Association ( ITRA ) and includes longer races. It is similar to both mountain and fell running (also known as hill running). Unlike road running and track running , it generally takes place on outdoor trails , often in mountainous terrain, and often includes significant ascents and descents. It is difficult to definitively distinguish trail running from cross country running . In general, however, cross country running
954-425: Is that a mountain running course sometimes includes paving. It is different from fell running because (1) courses are clearly marked and avoid dangerous sections; and (2) while mountain running takes place mainly off-road , if there is significant elevation gain on the route, surfaced roads may be used. Handicapping Handicapping also refers to the various methods by which spectators can predict and quantify
1007-484: Is that vehicles have the normal performance on track, so better drivers will be able to recover time and overtake slower drivers. Contrarily, horse race handicapping is implemented using extra weight. A handicap race in horse racing is a race in which horses carry different weights, allocated by the handicapper. A better horse will carry a heavier weight, to give him or her a disadvantage when racing against slower horses. The handicapper's goal in assigning handicap weights
1060-462: Is the Marathon des Sables , which was first held in 1986. As with hiking and other activities that share trails in often sensitive wilderness environments, trail runners should comply with common leave no trace practices and other trail etiquette (aka Trail ethics ). While trail etiquette and customs vary by country, season and outdoor (recreational) area, the common purpose of trail etiquette
1113-539: Is the Melbourne Cup on Wheels . In road cycling, pursuit-style handicaps are most common, and are mostly restricted to grassroots amateur events. In the past, higher-profile national events such as the Melbourne to Warrnambool Classic were run as handicaps, but with larger entry numbers and a preference for scratch racing among elite-level national competitors, these are no longer run as handicaps. Because of
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#17327878702881166-757: Is then used to determine the minimum score difference for the better team to score to enable them to win. In polo, every player is awarded an individual handicap depending on performance. Handicap commissions of the national associations meet several times a year to decide players’ handicaps. Argentina: 0 to 10 USA: C (-2), B (-1), B+ (-0.5), A (0), A+ (0.5), 1.0, 1.5, 2 to 10 England: -2 to 10 Handicaps for sailing vessels in sailing races have varied throughout history, and they also vary by country, and by sailing organisation. Sailing handicap standards exist internationally, nationally, and within individual sailing clubs. Sailing race handicaps may be based on vessel capability and-or crew experience, and today typically adjust
1219-530: Is to enable all the horses to finish together (in a dead heat). The skill in betting on a handicap horse race is in determining which horse can overcome its handicap. In addition to the Daily Racing Form , other data sources include Brisnet, Equibase, The Ragozin Sheets, and Thoro-Graph. In rugby, one of the teams will start with a points advantage, and one will start with a deficit to make up in
1272-422: Is to preserve the wilderness environment while ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all trail users (including people, animals, and sometimes motorized vehicles). Compared to road races, there are often fewer participants as the number of entries is often limited. There can be a few reasons for this: narrowness of trails , national parks (where the courses are often set) may limit the number of participants via
1325-577: The COVID-19 pandemic . In 1977, the race was almost cancelled as the previous year saw an overwhelming number of participants due to the running boom of the 1970s - the local government was worried about overcrowding and also did not want to close down nearby streets. The Marin County Board of Supervisors voted 3–2 to cancel the race until changes could be made. The race ended up being delayed and held in October instead. A “Women’s Dipsea Hike” (called
1378-692: The Pacific coast . Stinson Beach is a popular tourist destination, located about a 30-minute drive north of San Francisco on Highway 1 , via the Golden Gate Bridge . The ascent over the southern shoulder of Mount Tam reaches its apex around the top of Cardiac Hill, about 4.5 miles into the race. Among the challenges facing participants are the Dipsea Trail's uneven footing, single-track footpaths , and almost invariably steep terrain, featuring about 2,200-foot (671 m) elevation gain and loss over
1431-535: The XTERRA Triathlon is a private off-road series that concludes with a championship each year in Maui. Aid stations are physical checkpoints commonly located every 5 to 10 kilometers along the course. Ultramarathon aid stations are often stocked with foods that provide runners with quickly digestible sugars that can provide a needed boost as their glycogen levels begin to drop. Most trail races only have
1484-469: The 'Dipsea Demon', holds the record of most consecutive competitions in the Dipsea, having finished 67 consecutive Dipseas from 1930 until 2002. (There was no official Dipsea Race in 1932 or 1933, due to economic reasons, nor in 1942–1945 due to World War II.) Kirk finished his last complete race in 2002. He started but did not finish in 2003, but did reach the highest elevation, at the top of "Cardiac Hill," at
1537-713: The Dipsea Race. The Double Dipsea is a 13.7-mile (22 km) run usually held on the Saturday thirteen days after the Dipsea. Now organized by the Dolphin South End Running Club , San Francisco icon Walt Stack put together the first Double Dipsea race in 1970. The Quad Dipsea is a 28.4-mile (45.7 km) trail ultra, held annually in November on the Saturday following Thanksgiving . The Quad starts and finishes in Mill Valley, following
1590-539: The Dipsea Trail westward to Stinson Beach, out-and-back twice over the same course as the Dipsea Race and the Double Dipsea. The race has 9,276 feet (2,827 m) of both climb and descent. First held in 1983 with only 8 runners, the race is now limited to about 250 runners. The 1986 movie On the Edge , without using the name "Dipsea", revolves around a race that is unmistakably the Dipsea Race. It stars Bruce Dern as
1643-643: The San Francisco Olympic Club , from the Mill Valley train depot to the then-new Dipsea Inn, on a sand spit now called Seadrift, in the Bolinas Lagoon between Stinson Beach and Bolinas , taking place annually, only being cancelled a few times in its history: 1932-1933 due to the race not being able to earn enough funds to be financially viable due to the Great Depression , 1942-1945 due to World War II , and 2020 due to
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1696-827: The United States, the American Trail Running Association was only founded in 1996 to represent trail races in the US. In the United Kingdom, the Trail Running Association was formed in 1991. The International Trail Running Association (ITRA) was founded in 2013, and was first recognized by the IAAF in 2015. Distances in races vary widely, from 5 km, to over 100 miles (161 km). Many trail races are of ultramarathon (ultra) distance. Ultras are generally accepted as having
1749-483: The age of 96. He is the oldest person to have competed in the race. Kirk died on January 29, 2007, at age 100. Kirk's story was documented in the 2004 film "The Dipsea Demon". Two other races use the same course route: the Double Dipsea, held in late June, and the Quad Dipsea, an ultramarathon , which takes place in late November. Despite the use of the Dipsea name, these two races are not officially affiliated with
1802-569: The bottom of their shoes to aid with traction in the snow and on ice. Ultra-light hiking poles or trekking poles can be used to increase speed and stability. An alternative way to carry water is to use a hydration bladder with a drinking tube carried in a backpack , waist pack, or hydration pack . Carrying the Ten Essentials may reduce the hazards inherent in wilderness travel . Trail running races are organized globally and vary in distance, terrain, and vertical climb. For example, in
1855-408: The course. The uniqueness of the Dipsea Race course owes largely to the opportunity for competitors to choose from any of several alternate routes on diverging and converging trails, adding a competitive premium for strategy, experience, and familiarity with the course. The Dipsea's handicapping system often produces younger or older winners, which adds to the unusual intrigue and suspense created by
1908-441: The fastest starts last, making the end of the race (hopefully) close. An ideal handicap race is one in which all participants finish at the same time. The winner is the person who beats his or her own time. Similarly, physically staggered starting positions can be used, for example, in greyhound racing a handicap race is where greyhounds (based on their ability) start from different starting traps set at different measurements from
1961-565: The finish line, and in human foot racing, for example, the Stawell Gift . Some motorsport events, especially in sports car racing , demand teams to stop the vehicle in the pitbox a fixed period of time depending on the drivers' classification, thus giving advantage to less skilled drivers. An example of a championship using this system is the International GT Open . The advantage of this system over ballast weight systems
2014-427: The first time since 1945. The committee later announced that the 110th race would be postponed from June to November 2021. The Dipsea is well known for its scenic course and challenging trails. The race starts on Throckmorton Avenue in Mill Valley, near Miller Avenue, in front of the old train depot (now a bookstore). After traversing a few blocks in Mill Valley's downtown, runners climb 688 stairs (now 700 stairs, after
2067-519: The game. The first very well known sports handicapper in American culture was Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder . During his career he worked for CBS on their Sunday morning show, The NFL Today . Because sports betting had a social taboo at the time, Snyder was not allowed to mention betting on games specifically. Instead, he would predict the score. Over the years the attitude towards sports betting, and handicapping in general, has changed. Billy Walters
2120-435: The importance of drafting in cycling events, riders are usually grouped into a limited number of "bunches" based on previous results, with the bunches containing the weakest riders leaving first. Prizes are typically awarded to the first finishers, first female finisher (in mixed events), and fastest time recorded (who may not have crossed the line first due to the handicapping). There are strategies that involve differences in
2173-416: The lines on the same event at different books. One bet is called a "middle", which when a player finds two books that offer different point spreads for the same event. They will bet the more favorable spread at both books, and if the final score falls between the two, the bettor will win both bets. On the other hand, if the total falls outside the range of the "middle" the bettor only loses a small percentage of
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2226-464: The match. If a team starts with the advantage, as long as they finish above the points different covered in the handicap, then your selection will win. The points handicap will be greater due to higher point scoring nature of rugby. With a basketball handicap, you will be backing a team to start with a points advantage or deficit to make up in the match. Basketball handicapping is often seen in matches that are predicted to be one-sided. Handicapping in
2279-794: The nature of the course, the field of competitors is limited to 1,500. It is a popular race, and thousands of people apply for entry every year. This makes it difficult for people, particularly those who have never run it before, to get accepted into the race. As of June 2024, the defending champion is 53-year-old Chris Lundy. Previous champions include Paddy O'Leary (2023), Eddie Owens (2022), Mark Tatum (2021), Brian Pilcher (2019, 2016, 2015, 2009), Chris Lundy (2018, 2017), Diana Fitzpatrick (2013, 2014), Hans Schmid (2012), Jamie Rivers (2007, 2011), Reilly Johnson (age 8, 2010), Roy Rivers (2008), Melody-Anne Schultz (1999, 2003, 2006) Russ Kiernan (1998, 2002, 2005), Shirley Matson (2004, 2001, 2000, 1993) and Sal Vasquez (1982–1985, 1990, 1994, 1997). Jack Kirk, known as
2332-812: The one of the premier NBA handicappers in the world. He claims to have developed a system that uses advanced statistical analysis to predict the outcomes of games. In the past, very few people did any mathematical calculations when handicapping sporting events. Predictions were usually made from hunches or information not readily available to the public. However, with the advancement of technology computers powerful enough to run advanced simulation models now frequent homes and offices. Advanced statistics such as DVOA, Win Shares and Points per Possession are talked about in mainstream media. Brian Burke, author of The Fifth Down blog featured in The New York Times , wrote
2385-464: The race has been held on the second Sunday in June. The Dipsea celebrated its 111th running on Sunday, June 12, 2022. In 1904, the Dipsea Inn opened on a sandspit north of Willow Camp (later Stinson Beach ), built in anticipation of tourists arriving on proposed rail extensions. After opening, it was visited by a group of Olympic Club members, including, Charles Boas, and Alfons Coney, who had
2438-448: The race's permissible shortcuts, like 'Suicide' and 'The Swoop'. Most participants, with the exception of 'scratch' runners, are given a head start based on their age and gender. The oldest and youngest runners are given up to a 25-minute advantage over the fastest competitors, making it possible for virtually any age group to produce a race winner; previous winners include children as young as 8, and men and women as old as 72. Because of
2491-550: The renovation of the middle section in Nov 2017) leading up the side of Mount Tamalpais , and then pass through Muir Woods National Monument , Mount Tamalpais State Park , and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area . The Dipsea Trail is the most direct route connecting the town of Mill Valley, located near the northwestern shores of Richardson Bay , with the village of Stinson Beach, situated along
2544-428: The results of a sporting match. The term is applied to the practice of predicting the result of a competition, such as for purposes of betting against the point spread . A favored team that wins by less than the point spread still wins the game, but bets on that team loss. In either case the handicapper is the person who sets the handicaps for the activity. The term handicap derives from hand-in-cap , referring to
2597-410: The same event. In this case, the bettor will bet the more favorable line at both books, and have a guaranteed profit. For example, if Book 1 considers Team A to be worth +200 (2-to-1 underdog), and Book 2 considers Team B to be worth +200, a bettor can bet Team A at Book 1, and Team B at Book 2, and guarantee a 100% profit. This is a no-risk bet, as the player is guaranteed a profit no matter the result of
2650-463: The sport of golf enables players and teams of varying abilities to compete against one another. A golf handicap is a numerical measure of a golfer's potential or "average best". Better players are those with the lowest handicaps. Types of chess handicaps include: Handicapping in go includes the weaker player being given an advantage by placing a number of stones before the stronger player commences, and by final points adjustment. Handicapping in shogi
2703-419: The time a vessel takes to reach the finish point of the race. The ATP, WTA, Challenger, and ITF events have plenty of matches which can be one-sided, which results in short odds being offered with various betting sites. Therefore, there is not ever much value in backing a specific player to win, which is why handicap betting is often popular. Handicap betting in tennis often means that you are wagering funds on
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#17327878702882756-442: The times have been adjusted for the different competitors' handicaps. In a 'pursuit' style handicap race, all participants are clocked in a time trial before the race. When this takes place at the same event as the main race, it is known as the handicap. In the race itself, the participants do not all start at the same "Go"; the starts are staggered, based on the handicaps. The slowest swimmer, or cyclist, for example, starts first and
2809-491: Was profiled by 60 Minutes because of his handicapping abilities. Billy Walters, and other unknown members of the Computer Group, developed a system for handicapping games and beating Las Vegas sportsbooks. The Huffington Post covered Jon Price a reclusive sports bettor that hires Ph.D's and works off of algorithmic information for his predictions. ESPN wrote an article on Haralabos Voulgaris naming him as
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