By popular demand, I have been asked to provide a few more race director pet peeves. I suppose misery loves company here.
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For many races, especially point-to-point races in the spring or fall, one of the biggest challenges a race director comes up against is the overall baggage collection program.
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I used to think the more signs (operational and functional signs, not sponsor signs) at an event the better.
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With all due respect to everything involved in creating a new road race, the course and the management of the course is arguably the most important aspect of your event.
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It’s often said kids are the future of our sport. As such, it seems more races are incorporating a kid’s fun run component as part of their overall weekend of events.
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Many races are closing out at record paces these days. While reaching capacity may be seen as an enviable position by most race organizers, it brings its own unique set of challenges.
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It is a business but it is also supposed to be FUN!
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We all learn from our experiences. Having directed over 850 events during the past 30 years, I hope I have learned a few things myself about this business.
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I've always felt the number one ingredient to ensure a successful event is preparation.
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We all work so hard on our races and are very sensitive to make sure that everything goes well.
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At the starting line of the Boston Marathon, the town of Hopkinton puts out a sign that appropriately reads, “It All Starts Here!”
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It’s tempting during the days and weeks immediately following a race to do as little as possible given the sense of exhaustion most of us feel.
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During the past year, I have received a number of emails from runners who have participated in a few races I have directed complaining that the course was "too long."
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Years ago when managing a race, all you needed to do is draw a chalk mark in the road and tell your runners to just stand behind it. No problem.
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When I was in college, the phrase the morning after meant only one thing to me: a splitting headache after a night of one too many. Well, after 25+ years of directing events, the morning after means something entirely different and at the same time can sometimes be the actual cause of a splitting headache.
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Post-race activities, food, and entertainment will enhance your event tremendously; generally, the more the better.
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Holding a break tape at the finish of a major (or any) race and what the tape actually looks like is a perfect example of how something seemingly so simple can have such huge implications.
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Years ago, if anyone was seen riding a bicycle on the BAA Boston Marathon course during the race, they would be yanked off the course in a second. The rule was “absolutely no bikes on the course!”
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