Runner Triathlete News [ return ] From Message Bonnie Jo   10/07/2002 19:46:44 Subject: HARRA 10-miler IP: Logged Message: First off, there is nothing you all could do about the weather--it was just horrible!!! However, with the weather being that way, we could have used more water stations and definitely some PowerAde/Gatorade at every other station. It was just way too hot and humid to not have a sports drink included. Really, really, really liked the woman from Family Fitness who em-ceed the awards ceremony. She was AWESOME. And, it was NOT HER fault that the awards ceremony lasted so long. Would it be at all possible that this race (the 10-miler) begins at 7:00 a.m.??? That would help expedite the awards ceremony. It is a shame so many runners leave before the awards ceremony. Big plus this year was the awards for both the 10 miler and the 5K. These were the BEST awards yet. EXCELLENT job, whoever was in charge of awards this year. Did not particularly like that a runner was able to win in the Overall category and then again in the Masters overall category. Each "winner" should only win in ONE category. At least you did not allow duplication in the age group awards. That would have been even worse. Please give thought to NOT duplicating in the overalls. For example, a runner won in Overall Female and then again in Overall Masters Female (same thing happened in the Male division). Given the time and place overall, the runner should have ONLY won in the Overall category (Just my opinion). Split callers were not very loud. Had to ask for total times and splits every time I went by--on a hot and humid day, that takes a lot of energy and breath to ask split callers to do their job. Even those who were calling them did not project their voices; you had to ask them to repeat themselves. At some water stations, the volunteers were not ready with cups of water. At others, you had trouble grabbing the cups from their hands--maybe just a little more pre-race volunteer water station training would fix this problem. My only other complaint is that the post race food, etc. is outside and the awards are inside. This creates a "division" in the post race party and the awards. It is very nice having the awards in a (way too cold) air conditioned setting, however, I would rather have the post-race party and the awards convene in the same area so you can partake of food, watch your friends finish the 10-miler and listen to awards. Again, just some suggestions. Overall good job on this race. Thanks to the race director, race organizers, race committee members and all volunteers. I have assisted in organizing many races and know how difficult it can be to make everything work. Thank you for your efforts. Bonnie Jo Barron mid-pack runner 10/07/2002 20:11:02 RE: HARRA 10-miler IP: Logged Message: Boy did I ever miss having a sports drink at the water stops! It was brutally hot out there and a sports drink was really needed. Otherwise, I thought the water stop volunteers were great. Unlike what Bonnie Jo said, they seemed ready and I had no problems grabbing the water from them. (Hmmm... I am volunteering at a 20K water stop for the first time. If training is needed to hand out water, I sure hope it's provided.) Runners need to remember that these people are volunteers -- not professional water-stop staffers. Even though I never have, nor never will, win an award, I do agree that duplication of awards is a no-no. But I did love having it in the air conditioned auditorium. After running in that heat, you couldn't have made it too cold for me! Thanks for another great race. See you next year! P 1

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