RACE DIRECTOR TIPS AND TRICKS

Below are some general tips for my colleagues in the running industry:

PORT-O-JOHN MANAGEMENT

Going to the bathroom is arguably the most important and nerve-racking thing any runner needs to do before the start of a race. However, many races underestimate this and don’t truly spend enough time or effort determining how many port-o-johns to order (usually a ratio of 1 to 100 runners), where to place them, and just as importantly, how to actually manage this very important part of the race. 

Allowing one long line to form is a critical mistake…this creates non-efficient use of all the units and it encourages runners to go elsewhere instead of standing in this long line. It’s key to place a strong volunteer with a bullhorn near the bank of port-o-johns to direct runners well before long lines form. Another tip would be to tape a flyer on the door of each unit that reads “FORM SINGLE LINE HERE” which helps to alleviate these long lines and thus frustrated runners. Also, beware of the pranksters who can sometimes lock the units from the outside thus giving the impression that a unit is occupied when in fact it is empty!

ARE RUNNERS REALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR KNOWING THE COURSE?

I once was of the school of thought that all runners were responsible for knowing the course and if they went off course, it was their own fault. I no longer feel that way. Race courses can be very complex and complicated with cones and barrels and barricades delineating the course that are not set up for viewing until the wee hours of race day morning. As such, how can a runner honestly be expected to know the course? It is up to us as event directors to make sure the course is so well-marked and -manned that it is virtually impossible to go off course. This is a huge challenge for all of us but in deciding to put on a race, you inherit that responsibility. 

Some quick tips: 

  • Put an experienced course person either on a motor scooter or in the lead cruiser to be sure the leader is going in the right direction. Even a lead police cruiser can get confused

  • Implement a bike monitor program where 10-20 officials are on bikes guiding the leaders, middle of the pack (where there may be gaps), and tail-end runners to make sure they are all staying on the course

  • Mark the course in a way that if there were no lead vehicles or course monitors, a runner could negotiate the course without much trouble.

MONDAY MORNING BLUES

Getting negative calls and emails the morning after a race.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Go through some hypothetical emergency situations and determine a reasonable plan of action if something like this were to occur.

HOW MUCH DO I NEED IN CASH SPONSORSHIP – RULE OF THUMB

If your cash sponsorship is equal to or greater than your gross entry fees, you are doing pretty well.

GPS PHENOMENON

Don’t let runners trick you by saying your course is long because their GPS indicated it is.

LET YOUR BUDGET BE YOUR GUIDE

Arguably, your budget is the most important guide you will have in making the majority of your decisions regarding the race.

CUT-OFF TIMES

Today there are more runners, but there are also much slower runners. How do you deal with runners/walkers still out on the course after the race officially closes and the roads re-open?

MAKING MORE ENEMIES THAN FRIENDS – TURNING AWAY RUNNERS

Races are closing out at record paces. How can you minimize the number of disappointed runners who eventually get closed out?

HEY KIDS – DON’T TRIP!

Narrowing the start of a kid’s race could be all you need to do to prevent kids from running over each other and tripping and falling onto the pavement.

road race managementDave McGillivray