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Bonnie Jo
9/12/2003
19:27:05
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 Subject: Spring 2004 HARRA relay
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Message:
I was disappointed to see that the ALRC has changed the weekend of the Spring HARRA relay from the last weekend in April to the 3rd weekend in April. It has always been the very last Saturday in April for at least three years. The reason I am disappointed is because I will be in Boston for the Boston marathon (4/19 is the marathon). I LOVE the Spring HARRA relay and always look forward to it. It is a shame to have to miss it. I certainly am not giving up Boston to run the relay no matter how much I enjoy the Spring relay. Why did this change for 2004? Is there anyway to get it changed to April 24th instead? Thank you.
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Andy
9/14/2003
12:35:48
| RE: Spring 2004 HARRA relay
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Message:
The race will lose numbers being the same weekend as Boston. HARRA has 100 each year in Boston. April 24 would be better for our club as well. Thanks.
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Karen Thibodeaux
9/17/2003
04:17:27
| RE: Spring 2004 HARRA relay
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Message:
Bonnie Jo,
I have sent a message to all the ALRC members asking why and to see if it can be changed. Hopefully, it can be changed to accommodate the Boston folks. I know our numbers were down this year, and it certainly would not make any sense to change the date to the same weekend as Boston. More later...
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drummer
9/17/2003
17:15:47
| RE: Spring 2004 HARRA relay
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Message:
first of all, they lost numbers last year anyway. Second, there may be a hundred harra runners that do Boston but I doubt that all hundred then come back the next weekend and do the relay.
Leave it the way it is, not everyone runs Boston, Not everyone runs Boston on mon. and then tries to run the relay the next weekend anyway.
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Wally
9/17/2003
22:06:25
| RE: Spring 2004 HARRA relay
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Message:
I say leave it along as well. You'll never make everyone happy and the date must have been picked for a reason.
Did anyone else notice that HARRA races aren't what they used to be anyway? There is no longer competition between the running clubs since BCRR overwhelms with high numbers every year. Runners who care have taken the "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" mentality and have just joined BCRR. HARRA really needs to be re-invigorated and re-directed and put less emphasis on the running club (non)competitions. It needs to change with the times and not do the same thing because it worked 10 years ago. As evidenced in all the posts on awards, the running community has a lot more people who aren't in it for the awards than those who are, but the potential award winners are the runners that races cater to. I don't have the answers but suggest that HARRA have a brain-storming sesssion with a wider cross section of the running community and see if it can be saved.
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Steve
9/18/2003
08:35:07
| RE: Spring 2004 HARRA relay
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Message:
I don't believe they lost material numbers last year. Here are the team counts from the previous 3 years:
2001 - 100
2002 - 79
2003 - 77
Presumably they moved it because they fear the (big) Houston Texans 5k race will be scheduled on 4/26/2004 along with two other 5k's on the same side of town, Run for the Arts and Run with the Wolves. However, these races don't attract runners who find the Bayou Bash attractive. Folks definitely do both Boston and Bayou Bash. You see lots of fresh running clothes with the Boston logo at the Bayou Bash. My guess is that the date move might cost the Bayou Bash 25 runners, which is alot for a small race. Just an impression, of course, but I've done the last 8 Bayou Bashes, including 2 five days after Boston.
Steve
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drummer
9/18/2003
09:05:41
| RE: Spring 2004 HARRA relay
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Message:
That sounds reasonable, they moved it to keep from competing with other races, could be true. But to compete with other races in town is hard enough they can't also worry about races going on in other parts of the country. They get the majority of runners from the non-Boston pool (25 boston runners is a bit high from what I have seen the last 3 yrs.) Is a bummer when conflicts arise but to change it because several of you want to do both doesn't make much sense.
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bonnie jo
9/18/2003
14:16:47
| RE: 2004 Spring HARRA relay
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I don't mean to belabor the issue, but I have to disagree with about the number who do Boston and then come back and do the relay. I did Boston last year and from our club alone at least 10-12 came back and did the relay. At the relay, I saw numerous runners from other clubs who had just completed Boston and were at the relay. Anyway, if it can't be changed, it can't be changed. Just thought I would voice my opinion on the subject. BTW..Thanks to those who have responded and shared your insight and feedback.
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me
9/18/2003
14:47:11
| RE: Spring 2004 HARRA relay
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Message:
Doesn't matter one way or another to me, but if tehy loose 50 people on a conflict with the Texans run and gain 25 from Boston is it really worth it???
Also, have you guys called to see if they would move Boston back a week???
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tgarr
9/20/2003
07:20:34
| RE: Spring 2004 HARRA relay
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Message:
its a bummer when you have a race conflict, but that is life sometimes you have to pick and choose. By trying to get the date changed Bonnie, Andy, Steve, you are denying those of us who won't be going to Boston the chance to compete in two races by forcing us to choose. If your numbers about your club are right Bonnie and this race counts toward teh ponits chase then it seems to me you guys are more worried about points you're gonna loose in that respect. I don't say this to be rude just to give a different perspective.
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Andy
9/20/2003
10:13:26
| RE: Spring 2004 HARRA relay
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Message:
To be honest, I had forgotten how full that last Saturday in April was last year. I cannot blame ALRC for the switch of the relay. Running For The Arts and Run With the Bulls are both large 5Ks. I have Speedo Women's Tri that weekend also. It is packed and the move makes sense.
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