Top-notch race
Standing on the sidewalk at the Park Ridge Charity Classic 5k (one of two winners of the Chicago Area Runners Association's “Best Race Award” for 2007), in Park Ridge IL, I observed spectators stepping down from the curb and steadily inching onto the course, as they sought unobstructed views of runners in their last throes of speedy competition.
When the width of the race course shrunk and threatened to block runners from crossing the finish line, the race director calmly walked to one side, tied a yellow tape between two wooden horses, and gently pushed the new barricade into the spectator area, clearing the finish line approach for runners. He then did the same thing on the other side of the course.
After the race, I complimented him on his swift solution to a crowd control issue. He didn't even remember doing that. He said it must have been an automatic reaction to a problem he observed.
This race is pretty close to being technically perfect. It's a fast course, with excellent traffic control, superb course marshaling, and swift, accurate results. It doesn't have any pizzaz - no special refreshments, no entertainment, and a pretty ordinary t-shirt (at best). The course is boring, but very, very fast.
The race attracts more competitive runners than many other local events because runners know they won't have to worry about technical details. The race will start on time, mile splits will be precise, finish chutes well managed, and awards will be presented quickly.
Awards are presented three deep AND to the top 1/3 of each age group. Most winners show their computerized finish cards and pick up awards soon after finishing, so very few winners remain for an awards ceremony. Last year, the race tallied 405 finishers.
This race pays close attention to detail. The race director knows his market (mostly serious runners - fast and slow) and plans everything in accordance with their needs. The entry fee is one of the lowest in the