When runners gather to
participate in running events there are certain things they expect from these
races. These normal, minimum
requirements make a race “legitimate.” On rare occasions, a road race fails to meet the normal and
usual expectations of its participants. A race that doesn’t provide the BASICS runners expect reflects
poorly on the community, the sponsors, and the running community of that
area. In an effort to protect the
integrity of road racing, some of us in the running community have developed the following minimum
standards we feel road races should meet in order to gain and maintain the
enthusiasm of runners and to reflect favorably on the local running community.
Extensive
planning is required prior to putting on a road race. Allow, at minimum, six months for planning
before your event. This time frame must
allow for securing permits from the governing body and/or police or sheriff,
and for gathering the numerous volunteers needed. If you intend on using a nearby running club
for your scoring then scheduling of this must be done.
ACCURATE COURSE
Regardless
of the length of the race the course MUST be accurate. It can be measured either by using a “wheel”
such as contractors use, or a Jones Counter mounted on a bicycle that is
calibrated. The course should be
measured to the advertised length, i.e., a 5k course should be measured to
5,000 meters, not 3.1 miles. Automobile
odometers do not qualify as accurate instruments. Larger running clubs have teams that, for a
small fee, will “certify” race courses, giving prestige to an event.
TEE SHIRTS
Registration
fees should include a free tee shirt for each registered runner. Tasteful advertising on the shirt is acceptable. Remember, the races that have the best
designs and most colors on their tee shirts are the races that draw runners
back year after year.
DATE OF EVENT
When
picking a date for your event, check with the running community to make sure the
date you pick does not conflict with other established races in the area. Road races have enough to compete with
without competing with each other. Runners
frequently travel 50-75 miles to attend a run, so your run will have a shot at
drawing from a wider area than you may imagine.
Make sure you don’t split the available runners by conflicting with an
established road race.
FUND RAISING
It’s
perfectly legitimate to use your road race as a “fund raiser”. Do bear in mind, however, that the costs of
holding a race are fairly substantial and the most frequent reason for the
demise of road races is that expenses exceed income.
HYDRATION
It
is imperative that runners be given an adequate supply of fluid
replacement. This should include water
before, during and after a race.
Isotonic drinks, like PowerAde and Gatorade, should be provided, at
minimum, after the race.
REFRESHMENTS
It
is expected that race sponsors provide snacks for runners after an event. This can vary from fruit to bagels to other
“goodies” that can be easily dispensed and enjoyed by runners.
AWARDS
Awards
have long been expected at road racing events.
Trophies or plaques, should be given AT LEAST three-deep (1st,
2nd, and 3rd place) in each age group, both male and
female. Additionally, overall awards
should be given AT LEAST to the first three finishers, both male and
female. Most races also give awards for
1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the wheel chair
division, male and female. Also, most
races give a separate award to the top masters (40+) runners, again, both male
and female. Awards for male and female
categories should be of equal value.
There should be no duplication of awards between the overall winners
(including masters) and the age group awards.
The overall awards (including masters) are, obviously, more prestigious
than the age group awards, and the trophy/plaques should reflect this.
AGE GROUPS
Larger
races, say 100+ runners, normally give trophies in 5 year increments. It is, however, acceptable to stretch that to
10 year increments in smaller races. Age
groups should be the same for both male and female categories. Races that carry the age grouping through at
least age 70 are more attractive to senior runners.
RACE NUMBERS
Race
numbers are not absolutely necessary in small races as the simple methods of
scoring don’t require them. However,
race numbers do lend authenticity to your race and they help in dispensing
prizes. Small races can frequently get
left-over race numbers from nearby, established races where race directors will
likely be glad to rid themselves of remaining numbers. Scissors can eliminate any advertising or
personalization. If you desire to use
your own, personalized race numbers, purchasing sources are available in the
back of most running magazines.
TRAFFIC CONTROL
Race
organizers have a RESPONSIBILITY to have adequate traffic control to protect
runners while on the race course.
Runners trying to shave a few seconds off their P. R. (personal record)
are in intense concentration and are likely not watching for traffic. An unsafe course could be a cause for legal
action that could affect organizers and sponsors alike.
DISTANCE
Runners
compete both with other runners and with the course. They like to compare what their “time” for
the event is versus another race of the same distance (yet another reason for
an ACCURATE course). There are specific
distances that new races normally adhere to.
Most are either 5k or 10k races (approximately 3.1 or 6.2 miles). New races would be wise to choose a common
distance such as these. Runners will
likely not be excited about an unusual length.
ENTRY FORMS
Entry
forms should be attractive, simple and easy to understand. If possible, a course map should be included
in the race brochure. Brochures should
be distributed to area running and fitness centers as well as.
FACEBOOK
is a vital tool for reaching runners and for dispensing information. Make sure you have a person on your committee
that understands this and can know the correct setup, etc.
RACE COURSE
One
of the most difficult responsibilities of race organizers is to pick a good,
safe course. Whether rural or urban, the
route should be as scenic as possible and should attempt to show off the best
areas of the community where the race is held.
DON’T have the course cross a railroad.
Hilly courses are not popular. Safety,
of course is paramount.
Permits
are sometimes required for races on public roads. Be sure to check with the proper governing
body(s) to determine the need for permits.
Also, in urban areas some law enforcement agencies charge a substantial
fee for providing traffic control on the course.
Courses can be
either “loops” where the runners basically don’t retrace their route, or
“out-and-back” courses where runners go out half the distance then reverse
their course and return via the same route they went out on. Either course layout is acceptable.
The very term “road” racing tells
us that the route should be paved, or the race should be specifically designated
as an “off-road”, “trail run”, “cross-country” race.
The
course must be WELL MARKED, either by arrows on the street and/or by course
volunteers that direct the runners. A
“lead” vehicle should guide, and stay well ahead of, the lead runner. Traffic control personnel should know the
course within their areas so they can help keep runners on the proper course. Nothing is more embarrassing than for runners
(or part of the runners) to take a wrong turn and get off the course.
Each
mile should be boldly marked so
runners can check their times as they progress through the race.
Other
considerations that may aid in selecting a site are:
1.
Ease of traffic control
2.
Runner safety
3.
Availability of parking
4.
Location for pre or post race activities
5.
Restroom availability
TIMING
Methods
abound for timing of the runners. It can
be as simple as a stop watch and numbered index cards or as complex as computer
chips. Regardless of which method chosen,
accuracy is absolutely imperative. Make
sure your “timing committee” knows exactly what they are doing. It is very good to have timers at each mile
mark on the course calling out lapsed times, but in any event, the mile marks
on the course should be very visible to the runners.
ASK FOR HELP
There
are resources you can call on to help you organize your race. These include area Running Clubs, other Race
Directors and long time runners experienced in road racing. Some running clubs have teams that will put
your race on for you or do your timing, all for a small fee. ASK questions as you proceed with your
planning. Remember, it benefits all when
you put on a well planned run…and it hurts everyone when you don’t. So for the sake of your community, the
sponsoring organization, the running community and the sport, plan well and
adhere to the minimum standards.
Kenneth Williams, @MarathonKoach.
And if you’re interested in stories about running the world’s greatest marathon, you need to go to BOSTONLOG.com!
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