In the 70s, I was a member of the North Medford Running Club. They hosted many of the road races in the New England area. Fred Brown was one of the pioneers and leaders of the club. I remember some of the entry forms of his races where he included the following line:
“Entry fee is $5.00 for the race. If you want a trophy, add $2.00 to your total.”
Read MoreBy popular demand, I have been asked to provide a few more race director pet peeves. I suppose misery loves company here.
Read MoreFor many races, especially point-to-point races in the spring or fall, one of the biggest challenges a race director comes up against is the overall baggage collection program.
Read MoreIt’s often said kids are the future of our sport. As such, it seems more races are incorporating a kid’s fun run component as part of their overall weekend of events.
Read MoreMany races are closing out at record paces these days. While reaching capacity may be seen as an enviable position by most race organizers, it brings its own unique set of challenges.
Read MoreIt is a business but it is also supposed to be FUN!
Read MoreWe all learn from our experiences. Having directed over 850 events during the past 30 years, I hope I have learned a few things myself about this business.
Read MoreI've always felt the number one ingredient to ensure a successful event is preparation.
Read MoreWe all work so hard on our races and are very sensitive to make sure that everything goes well.
Read MoreAt the starting line of the Boston Marathon, the town of Hopkinton puts out a sign that appropriately reads, “It All Starts Here!”
Read MoreIt’s tempting during the days and weeks immediately following a race to do as little as possible given the sense of exhaustion most of us feel.
Read MorePost-race activities, food, and entertainment will enhance your event tremendously; generally, the more the better.
Read MoreDuring the past year, I have received a number of emails from runners who have participated in a few races I have directed complaining that the course was "too long."
Read MoreYears ago when managing a race, all you needed to do is draw a chalk mark in the road and tell your runners to just stand behind it. No problem.
Read MoreWhen I was in college, the phrase the morning after meant only one thing to me: a splitting headache after a night of one too many. Well, after 25+ years of directing events, the morning after means something entirely different and at the same time can sometimes be the actual cause of a splitting headache.
Read MoreGoing to the bathroom is arguably the most important and nerve-racking thing any runner needs to do before the start of a race. However, many races underestimate this and don’t truly spend enough time or effort determining how many port-o-johns to order (usually a ratio of 1 to 100 runners), where to place them, and just as importantly, how to actually manage this very important part of the race.
Read MoreHolding a break tape at the finish of a major (or any) race and what the tape actually looks like is a perfect example of how something seemingly so simple can have such huge implications.
Read MoreYears ago, if anyone was seen riding a bicycle on the BAA Boston Marathon course during the race, they would be yanked off the course in a second. The rule was “absolutely no bikes on the course!”
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