Runningmonkeys

Evelyn at Homespun Honolulu has written a very balanced review of the 1st Annual Hibiscus Half Marathon in Honolulu.  Her report is a mixture of satisfaction and constructive criticism (check it out for yourself). 

This got me thinking about what a really good race looks like.

Now I am the first to admit that I know nothing at all about the nuts and bolts of race organising.  All I know is what I appreciate on the day, and this gives no credit for the difficulties that race organisers face in bringing it all together.  I am coming at it from a business perspective , as I see race organisers being in the market to supply a service to runners.  Realistically they may also have other customers as well, such as charities they support, or major races they feed with qualified racers.  The primary customer that race organisers are focused on serving is racers.  If nobody races there will be no race.

So this all might sound a little arrogant and narrow minded, but I am trying to put together a short, constructive list of factors that make race day great for runners.

1. Pre-race organisation.  All that is really required is to give runners the impression that everything is under control.  Of course we hope everything will be under control, but the most important thing before a race is for nervous runners to be able to relax.  In practice, professional image is as reassuring as accurate details and positive media coverage is as important as easy access to a help line.
2. Race day set up.  In a perfect world, all races would be held on closed roads with the start and finish at the same place and parking close by.  Track racers have this luxury, but road racers have to expect some inconvenience.  To lessen this, accurate details of public transport, shuttle buses and car parking is essential to keeping pre-race nerves under control.  Similarly, big signs at the various registration tables are more important than maps or loud speakers.  Before a race most runners are at least a bit on edge and many are only really operating on half a brain.  The easier the better.
3. Race starting, in big events without staggered starts, it is only really fair if people are encouraged to start  in line with their realistic finish times.  There is nothing more frustrating than when an idiot who intends to walk a marathon starts right up the front row.  We all know how frustrating a start can be, but we all know the temptation to start ahead of our finish time.
4. Aid stations. These don’t have to be anything flash but they must be often, predictable and on flat or down hill stretches.  The choice of drinks is often up to sponsors but there has to be enough for everyone, no matter how slow they are travelling.
5. Directions and distances.  Directions should be big, accurate and before the corners.  Split distances should either be accurate or not at all.  Runners lose most of their logical capabilities when they are running and so even the cleverest runner can make navigational mistakes.  Good signs eliminate these errors and make it certain that everyone follows the correct route.
6. The finish is the most important area of customer service in my opinion.  After the finish line, runners need rest, shade, nutrients, hydration and the ability to socialize.  Some of these factors are free and easy to organise but they are still overlooked by some organisers.  If this part is right, there are many areas of service let-down that will be overlooked.  If we enjoy the minutes after finishing, then it can rapidly become a favourite race.
7. My own hobby horse:  Find or hire someone to handle the microphone professionally and sensitively.  This will be someone who doesn’t have an aggravating voice or an insensitive sense of humour.  Someone who knows at least something about running.  Someone who can keep their cool under pressure.  And someone who is at least mildly interesting to listen to

Now I know that I must have missed a lot of important points here, so if you can think of any please drop a comment in here. Your comments make a difference.

Thanks

Tom