Downhill
The Debbie Green Memorial 5k, in Wheeling WV, redesigned its course to add more of a downhill.
While participants can usually run faster downhill than uphill, they'll have to be careful to avoid injuries that are more common on downhill courses.
If you want to take advantage of terrain changes, place a few rolling hills (they don't have to be big) at the beginning, followed by level or gentle downhill terrain afterward.
The hills will help participants develop momentum and breathe more efficiently, and the gentle downhill will encourage speed without causing lots of leg injuries (knees do not respond well to steep downhills).
Runners usually have stronger than average hearts and lungs. It's their joints (especially knees) that bear the brunt of running.
Shoe sponsorship
Nike has renewed its sponsorship of USATF through 2013.
In other shoes news, Consumer Reports gave its top rating of athletic shoes to the Asics GEL-150TR (in the just published August, 2009 issue).
If you are trying to sign a shoe sponsor, try signing your local running store, first. It may be in a better position to bring in a shoe company partner.
Where is it?
This was posted on a web site for a festival that included a race (we deleted references to the name of the event):
"The 20th Annual...will be celebrated the weekend of...! Please join us for a festive weekend with great food, music, and fun! Bring your family to the wonderful Family Funday on Sunday!
Don't miss our fabulous lineup of live entertainment on the main stage!"
The location of the festival was not mentioned, nor was the location of the main stage.
A sidebar included links to various festival events. Locations were not listed there, either. The race link included a small map, but it did not state the location of the start line. A viewer would have to guess the approximate location.
Never, never assume that people know where your event will be held or where your facility is located.
Always give EXACT information about the location.
How far should kids run?
Race entry form waivers should always include a line for a parent to sign if the entrant is a minor (under 18 years old).
If you are producing a marathon, consider whether you want to allow competitors under 18 years of age.
Longer events may also pose concerns. Here's what RRCA says.
Stuff happens
We generally don't publicize race gaffes, but when these problems are reported by major media, they've already become news. So, we look for a way other race directors can learn from them.
A recent race experienced a serious problem at the same time it was dealing with an unfortunate tragedy. A course had to be rerouted around road construction, and the vehicle shuttling course volunteers was involved in an accident.
On top of that, a course marshal misdirected runners.
How can this information help race directors?
1. Educate all volunteers about the course and how to direct runners. Even though it's the runners' responsibilityto know the course, they can't be expected to remember all the turns during the heat of the race.
2. Place arrows and other signs on the course to designate turns.
3. Runners' GPS will almost always record a distance longer than the certified distance - that, alone, does not indicate the course is long. Courses are certified along the shortest tangent and few runners know that (that's why Olympic races paint a blue stripe in the street - following that line is the ONLY way to run the exact, certified distance).
Special treatment for top runners?
One race director says "no."
Warn the neighbors - and thank them
Here's how one race director conducted community relations when designing a course than ran through a residential area.
Big entry fee hike
Officials of Rancho Santa Margarita CA raised entry fees from $20 to $30 for the Rancho 5k, to help close a municipal budget gap.
That's a risky strategy, since runners don't really care about the financial health of the town and are likely to judge the fairness of the fee based on what they receive at the event.
Rather than adopt a huge fee hike in one year, it's a better idea to consider smaller increases each year. That way, you'll keep pace with rising expenses and not risk losing participants with a suddenly higher-priced event.
Racing is not a necessity (at least for most people, including runners) and raising entry fees may not be a good strategy. Most local governments opt to levy additional fees on event producers (not participants), businesses, and other license applicants who have little choice and will fork over the additional fee.
Runners can easily opt to race elsewhere or not race at all.
Bank signs sponsorship
RBC, a Canadian banking corporation, has signed a $100,000 contract to become title sponsor of Race for the Kids, produced by Big Brothers/Big Sisters of New York City.
Banking sponsorships are obviously not dead.
Also note, the race lists all of Big Brothers/Big Sisters contact information - address, telephone, and email. The charity is not hiding.
X-rated sponsorship
An adult film company has offered to sponsor the Houston Texans, of the National Football League (NFL).
Check out the comments. How would you respond to an offer like this?
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