Runner Triathlete News [ return ] From Message OTR   10/06/2003 07:59:27 Subject: USA Space City 10 Miler IP: Logged Message: What did you guys think of the race? Course? post race? Will you do it next year? Anything we can do to improve for next year? Jay.. Bonnie Jo   10/06/2003 08:50:05 RE: USA Space City 10 Miler IP: Logged Message: I thought it was really super. I liked the new location. Easier to get to (distance-wise) than Brazosport. The course was fine. My main complaint was WATER on the course. Even though it is October, a 10 mile run is rather long to have water every 2 miles. By mile 5, my body was needing water every mile. Loved the t-shirts. Thanks for keeping them long sleeved. The design on the front was great and the sponsorship on the back was not "too much"; it is a t-shirt I will wear very often this fall/winter. I felt you all had everything very well organized & had well trained volunteers. Great mile markers, placed well and large enough to see. A couple of the split callers could have been louder, but at least they were at their post. The awards were original and useful and I am sure everyone enjoys getting something they can use instead of "getting another trophy or medal". However, I enjoy getting a trophy or medal as an award instead. BUT, the awards were very nice especially having the logo of the race and I have already put mine to use. As always, Jay, you and your team have always done a great job on the 5K's in which we have participated and you did not disappoint us in taking over the HARRA 10 miler....just more water on the course next year (smile). One last thing, I appreciate that you all keep the course open and the clock/mat operating the full 2:40, (not only for my mom) for the slower runners, as this really encourages them in reaching their goals. Thanks to you and your volunteers for a great job in your first year of putting on this HARRA race!! Bonnie Jo Runner 10/06/2003 09:29:52 RE: USA Space City 10 Miler IP: Logged Message: Enjoyed the run! You guys did a great job. I echo Bonnie Jo's note about more water. Maybe ever other mile works for the first 5, but after that it got too hot and I could have used it every mile. Loved the shirts, loved the post race tacos, loved the new location. Thanks for taking this over. old timer   10/06/2003 14:24:25 RE: USA Space City 10 Miler IP: Logged Message: I thought it was great and I would do it again. I guess at my slow pace and having begun racing in the late 70's when water stops were not such a big deal, every two miles was plenty for me. Luvtorun 10/07/2003 09:16:56 RE: USA Space City 10 Miler IP: Logged Message: All in all, I feel this was the first quality event I've run in the bay area. However, there are some things I can't figure out. For an entry fee as high as it was, you would think the post-race party would be like walking through the "goodie" section of a grocery store. If the race is going to charge a maximum fee the way it did, and still rip us off at the post-race party, you would think we would of gotten sweatshirts instead of long-sleeved shirts. Come on now, let's be reasonable and not let these entry fees start to go through the roof. When one race does it, they all follow in line. There had to of been at least 500 participants there on Sunday. 500 x $28 is a lot of money. What taqueria did you buy your burritos at?? OTR   10/07/2003 12:36:12 RE: USA Space City 10 Miler IP: Logged Message: Luvtorun, Since I am involved in a majority of the races in the Clear Lake area, I thank you for your kind words about the race. As a fellow runner I think I have a good idea of what people are looking for in a race. Putting on races is not as cheap as you must think they are. We have it a little better in Clear Lake since we don’t get charged the high fees that the Houston races do. In your opinion what do you think is costs to put on a race? Have you ever priced shirts, food, awards, rental of equipment, chip timing, ads, rental of police, EMTs… I could go on if you would like. Officially we had 655 entrants for the race, if you are a HARRA member and registered before the first deadline the cost was $24, if you decided to wait until race day then as high as $29 for a HARRA member. In an average year I have 5 or 6 groups come to me and say they want to put on a fun run to make money for the group. The first thing I tell them is that you are not going to make a lot of money and it is a lot of hard work. Of those 5 or 6 only about 2 or 3 put on that race the second year. I think some runners get fooled because they see some of the big races that go on each year and make a million dollars for a cause. Trust me there are less than a handful of races in Houston that do that. I think you could add up all the other races around Houston total up the money that goes to the charities and it will not come close to lets say the Conoco Rodeo Run. I appreciate every runner that runs in a race that I have supported but until you put on a pair of race directors running shoes, I might hold off some of the comments that I have seen on this board from you. Jay.. Steve   10/07/2003 13:39:56 RE: USA Space City 10 Miler IP: Logged Message: Jay, Absolutely right on! What you didn't mention is all of the free labor from volunteers that's required to put on a race. In my experience entry fees don't begin to cover the basic cost of a race. Without the generous donations from sponsors race entry fees would be much higher than they are. This is above and beyond being able to make a generous contribution to the race's charity. I think what you pulled off in a few short months to fill the gap for a quality Fall 10 miler for Houston running community is incredible. Hats off! Steve Webster 10/07/2003 14:38:09 RE: USA Space City 10 Miler IP: Logged Message: A quick scan of other 10-mile races throughout the USA shows that the Space City 10-Miler was fairly priced. Remember, they offered Race Day Registration (probably for all the folks driving down from Houston) and NONE of the following races offered that (early-later-latest): Army 10-Miler, $25.00 Broad St. Run 10M, $21-$26-$30 Crim 10M, $25-$30-$35 Papa John's 10M, $18-$25-$40 Twin Cities 10M, $40 GW Park Classic 10M, $30-$35 Park Forest Scenic 10M, $26-$29 Remember, NONE of the above offer Race Day Registration and since I have run many races throughout the USA, this race actually had the best breakfast burritos I've ever tasted. Not only that, but you got a long sleeved t-shirt (probably 25-30 bucks if purchased)! I don't know how many "famous" and "bigger" races I've gone too and received a regular t-shirt in a poor race packet. Overall, the race was great for a first time event, and it seemed like they went all-out, from chip timing to long sleeves, to breakfast burritos. :) Congratulations, On the Run, Inc., and thanks for taking over the Brazosport 10-Miler (our only chance to improve our 10M PR's ever year). Andy   10/07/2003 15:27:41 RE: USA Space City 10 Miler IP: Logged Message: If someone wants $28 worth of food, go to a grocery store or a restaurant, not a race. As Jay pointed out, there are many other expenses besides food. The fee would be higher without sponsorship. Our group enjoyed your race. RTN Editor   10/07/2003 15:52:42 RE: USA Space City 10 Miler IP: Logged Message: Thought I'd jump in here with a historical perspective. Checked a back issue of RTN and saw that the Ten for Texas charged $23 late entry fee for their event in 1997. They, too, had race day registration -- but again, this is most likely due to a large number of Inner Loopers, Sugar Land residents, etc. not wanting to traipse to The Woodlands twice (once for packet pickup and again for the race). Apparently, $23 per person six years ago wasn't enough to support a 10 mile race. I'd guess that $28 is about the prevailing rate today, especially given the fact that the Space City 10 Miler jumped in relatively late in the game to pick up the slack. Maybe if some of the runners out there can convince some of their companies to come on board in a sponsorship role for this race (or other races) we might see a reduction in entry fees, however slight. A runner was in our office today and talked about the days when he could run a marathon for $7. Those days are long gone, in more ways than one. Lance Phegley drummer 10/07/2003 16:27:22 RE: USA Space City 10 Miler IP: Logged Message: ok, I admit I have less room to talk then anyone as I didn't run the race. However, 25 bucks seems to be in-line with other races around the state and from what I am reading here around the country as well. I decided that for my level of fitness right now 25 bucks was to much to pay for the race, and so I didn't participate. That would seem to be the first option if you feel the race was too costly. Second, I had to wonder why the post race food was so important, I go to a race for the competiton, give me a good course and some people to run against and that is what makes it worth my money, not the breakfast afterwards as I could get that at the store for cheaper than the entry fee. Having said all of that, Jay you and Steve kill me, I have seen both of you blast runners in the past who dared have a negative opinon about a race you were associated with, you are in a "service industry" and that is often a thankless job, but stop the crying about how hard it is. You made the choice to help put the thing on. Also the fact that you get volunteers who work untold hours for free doesn't justify the high cost (if it is indeed high, which I don't think it is) that is simply a reason the entry should be lower. P 1 Next Page>>