From November/December print RUNOHIO
Over the years I have been active in running as a participant, race director, and volunteer at races. I would like to address a few things I have witnessed recently at various races.

A few weeks ago I helped my mom and brother, Jeff, with a race, which had about 20 volunteers. I was in a lead car with another truck behind me to lead the runners around the course. My brother had previously put down markings on the road at each turn and at the mile marks. When I made the first turn, the truck followed me but the runners did not. They kept on going straight. The junior high runner in the lead was perhaps thinking the course was like a 5km held in the summer. However, this race has been the same for the past 19 years. As a race director I think every effort needs to be made to make sure the course is well marked. That is why we marked the course and had the two lead vehicles. In the past I would take the lead with the first group of runners if they broke away from the pack and the truck would lead the second pack of runners around the course. To make sure the race is a success runners also need to look at the course maps and must also assume some of the responsibility of knowing which way to go. Also, I hope parents would help younger runners know they probably shouldn't be in the lead after 400 meters when there are a number of adult runners who will be running faster over the entire length of the course.

By the time I saw the leaders go by the turn, I honked my horn and turned my car around to get back to the intersection where I was able to tell the middle-of-the-pack runners where the correct turn was. By the time I caught the leaders they were over 400 meters from the turn. I got in front of them and lead them around a new course till we got back onto the course. When I got to a busy intersection, the sheriff car was not yet there since it was waiting for the rest of the pack to come from the original direction. I had to decide whether to continue taking the runners out past the busy intersection which did not have proper protection, or turn. I chose to turn off the busy street for safety concerns and get the runners back on the course through the residential neighborhood. The lead runners ran a little short. After they finished, the lead runners and I talked about the course mishap and everyone was happy that they safely got back on the course and enjoyed the run and awards and drawing afterwards.

As a race director I always try to stage a race as an athletic event while also catering to the average runner and the runners who are new to the sport. A few races that I help with allow walkers and a few do not due to the traffic and safety concerns of having people out on a busy road. A few races start the runners and walkers together, and a few start the walkers first. If the number of walkers is small, starting the walkers first is not a problem. However, if there are a large number of walkers in the race it could become an obstacle course for the runners as they try to move around the walkers. I would like to suggest to race directors that if you have a large number of walkers to start them behind the runners so as not to complicate the effort of the runners who are trying to race. Or if you do start the walkers first, please move the walkers to one side of the road to allow the runners to easily pass. Also, if there is an earlier start, please make every effort for runners to not be in this group since it complicates the results.

Also, as a race director I try to attract top runners to the race. If my budget allows, I give U.S. Saving Bonds or merchandise to the top finishers. I have also tried to give something to the top five overall finishers and then go to age group awards. While in graduate school I started the Miami University Red Brick Run 5km as a benefit run for the women's cross country program, which I coached as a club sport. Every year I would try to invite the top five or ten runners back from the pervious year. We would give awards to the top ten before we went to the age group winners. Plus, I also gave more awards away in age groups based on the number of runners entered in the various age groups. I think this made the event a good race for all runners involved while keeping the athletic perspective of running.

Recent years I have been short on sponsorship for the Columbus 10K but I still try to attract top runners to the event. Next year is the 30th annual Columbus 10K and I would like to welcome back all past winners and any male runner who can break 32 minutes or women who can break 38 minutes. If you are a past winner or meet the time standard I will waive your entry fee for the race. I will try to have more awards for the overall winners. Every year we give away awards in the Columbus 10K to the top twenty-five percent in each age group based on pre-registration.

Recently, I was talking to a friend who tried to get into a marathon, which he had won in the past and was denied entry since they said the field was filled. As a race director I would also leave room for top runners, especially if they are trying to get the Olympic Marathon Trails standard. He also called another race to see if they would waive his entry fee. He was told the race was not waving any entry fees. This individual has been a two-time U.S. Olympic Marathon Trails participant. I would ask race directors and any race committee to look at their policy and see, especially if the race is not offering prize money, if they could try to help the top runners in Ohio or the Midwest. I think it is important to try to attract top runners to races to keep the athletic aspect of running in races while at the same time trying to give extra awards away to increase the opportunity for runners to win awards. For races that I direct, I try to make an interesting course for all runners to enjoy. I also try to have a quality t-shirt with a nice design so all of the participants will enjoy the shirt for many years to come.

It is also important for runners to thank the race directors for their effort in trying to make races safe and enjoyable. If you are not running a local race you could volunteer to help at the race.

Please remember to send RUNOHIO your 2007 race information so that we can list it in our race calendar. Race directors can also list their race information on the Running Network National Race Calendar, go to http://www.runohio.com for more information. The deadline for January/February issue is December 14th.

I hope you have a happy and safe holiday season.

Matt McGowan