event services
YoUr QUeStionS for rAce DirectorS, AnSwereD
USA
T
riathlon recently received and when I find out someone had a race but the race site should be able to handle
a letter from a member number but couldn’t use it I lose my mind. Yes, anonymous communications like the Facebooks
about suggestions for race charge a small deferral fee, but don’t force us of the world.
directors. Given the far ranging nature of the to sign up, sometimes a year in advance, taking
questions as well as the strong possibility there the risk that our money will be wasted. RD C: We list the names of confirmed
might not be any ‘right answers’, we engaged athletes and their city/state. I would be
several sanctioned event race directors to RD C: Most races have a refund policy and happy to contact one athlete on behalf of
provide response. Think of it as a “Point/ USAT requires race directors to publish the another after the race, but race directors
Counterpoint” for the multisport community. policy. People don’t compete or show up don’t have time to be a “facebook” agent in
Dear USA Triathlon: for races for a variety of reasons, which this regard.
I have been competing in triathlons for five are usually out of the control of the race
seasons and have completed all four distances. director. It is just unrealistic to think that 7. How about clarifying T-shirt sizes? Borrowing
I have been doing running races much longer. every spot can get filled. It’s only natural from a friend’s answer to what bugs her, she
With that experience and talking with other that as a race gets more popular, registration wrote: “The one thing that bugs me in both
competitors I think I have a good participant’s fills quicker. Most races usually know the running races and tris is that sometimes the
viewpoint. There are a few things that occur in date for their next year’s event, so if you shirt sizing on the registration forms just say
tris and running races that organizers should missed registration this year and really want S, M, L, XL. It doesn’t tell you if it is a men’s,
be aware of that bug us to a greater or lesser to do the race, take the responsibility to women’s, or unisex shirt. If they are going to
extent. This letter is to describe those big peeves register early for next year. have some shirt that deviates from the unisex
in the hopes that some organizers will improve T-shirt that most races give it might be nice to
the racing experience. 4. Food after races is so very important, know that there is men and women’s sizing.”
but few organizers seem to think about an
1. All finishers get medals. Period. I wait endurance athlete’s nutritional needs when RD A: Gee, couldn’t agree more. I am
for that moment when a volunteer drapes supplying post-race food. Instead of taking considering either only going with vendors
that ribbon around my neck and says, whatever a vendor will provide, why not devise that I know their sizing, or like this year, we
“Congratulations.” It matters, and not just to a list of fuel you think would actually benefit gave finisher sports bags. Sizing is always
me. It is a matter of pride. T-shirts fade, medals our recovery and make sure that is on hand? hard to guess. What you order is often quite
are forever. Don’t skimp. different than what actually comes from
RD C: A lot of factors go into what food is the vendors. Sizing is so personal that we
Race Director A: We strive to find meaningful provided after a race; from the location are considering only having apparel from
finisher medals. With advance planning, the of the race venue, funds available for this our partner retail firms, and going with
cost is not prohibitive but it is just one more portion of race budget, distances of the other finisher stuff. Finally, when people
detail. This is one more detail that when you race, etc. We provide bagels, fruit, cookies do order a size they want to try stuff on at
are more concerned about having enough and ice cream. Given our race distances packet pickup or the finish line. Really slows
cups, or the volunteers put the swim buoys are just sprint and intermediate, re-fueling everything down. No good answers here.
in the wrong place, getting to finisher medals afterwards is less important than a half-
may overwhelm the less experienced RD’s. Ironman or Ironman distance. Our race 8. Race fees are high enough. Stop raising
Cost is another factor. is in the heart of wine country with great them. If you are going to charge such high fees
restaurants and an awesome farmers then you had better start getting much more
2. Same day packet pick up is not only nice, market, so we encourage the athletes and competitor friendly (see all the points, above). I
but makes racing financially reasonable. I spectators to visit the local establishments know the longer races require more set up and
understand logistics play a big part, but having on their way home. support and are more expensive to run, but the
to devote two days to a one day race makes fees have gotten out of hand.
racing much more difficult and expensive for 5. Race bag goodies. This isn’t my particular
the participants. Whatever the reason, adjust beef, but if you are going to provide a bag RD A: Fees – we have held the line for
to your customers’ realities. And, if you start then there better be something of value in it. seven years now, but margins are tight and
allowing it please don’t charge extra for it. Recently, I received a race bag that held my race there is so much on the line. That said, RD’s
packet and ads for other races. Nothing else. are sensitive to pricing. Fees rise because
RD B: Having a packet pick-up on race day In that case, save the bag and just give me my venue fees, police fees, port-a-restroom
is impractical for us. In sprint events where race packet. fees, volunteer fees, food, fuel, bike racks,
nearly 60 percent are not USAT members, trailers, storage fees, phone charges have all
processing one days and the associated RD B: What you do not know, is sponsors increased… you get the idea. I think those
paperwork is a virtual nightmare and pay for the right to place those coupons and RDs that put on a quality product, don’t try
actually delays the race start. We do four ads in those bags, money that helps keep to gouge the racers and attend to details
packet pick-ups beginning four days prior your costs for the race down. Don’t want are the ones that remain in business. They
to the race at four different locations in and the coupons/literature? Then throw it away either learn to be efficient or they go away.
around the city, and ask participants to plan [or recycle it] like I do.
accordingly. We have not and will not ever Editor’s notE: Thank you to our member for
have race day pick-up. However if I did, I 6. I just finished a half-Ironman yesterday sharing his views and to the race directors who
would have to charge extra for the extra and my running partner and I both PR’d. We offered an inside look at race directing logistics.
work associated with this service. confessed having each other to run with If you have a question or comment about this
pushed us both. Boy, the day after, I would article, email communications@usatriathlon.
3. Enough with the “we can’t defer you” to really like to thank him. I am not advocating org with “race director point/counterpoint” in
next year bull. Some races are really popular opening everyone’s personal information, the subject line.
32 USA TriAThlon winter 10
USATTriWinter10pgs3-51.indd 32 12/14/09 2:36:22 PM
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