Results of the Run the Forest 5k – October 26, 2013 – Carolina Day School – Biltmore Forest, NC
Let’s start with the good news. Carolina Day School is a great location from which to start and finish a race through Biltmore Forest. As we all know it was an uncharacteristically cold October morning, but with the sun shining on the school campus it was tolerable. The course was a very nice loop with rolling hills and shade; all to be expected in Biltmore Forest. I thoroughly enjoyed the race.
When the race organizers got to the age group portion of the award ceremony, things got a little confusing. The age groups were ten year age groups as published, so no surprise there. But they only went one deep – the first finisher in each ten year age group and that was not published and should have been. The ceremony went quickly and they concluded it. I thought they had forgotten to do the women’s age groups and would realize their mistake but I had other things to do and got in my car and left. I learned afterward from other runners that these were unisex age groups. So, for instance, in my age group it was 50-59 year old males and females. Huh?
It’s my understanding that after the fact the organizers decided to make things right and will mail awards to those who were slighted by the ill-conceived unisex nature of age group awards. However, their acknowledgement online (at their imAthlete registration page) is somewhat vague. There was no specific acknowledgement of why certain runners did not receive an award in the award ceremony:
All top runners in each age category, male and female, will receive awards. If you did not receive your award today it will be mailed to you.
My advice for first time race organizers:
- Review your race plan in detail with an experienced race director and a few runners and listen to their advice.
- Be explicit and detailed about everything. If you don’t run a lot of races it’s easy for you to assume that these are insignificant details. But runners are wary about first time races and the potential mishaps that may occur. And to runners, these details are important and the runners are your customers so listen or lose your customers.
- If you make a decision that you feel afterward was not the best decision, acknowledge it explicitly.
Congratulations to Frankie Adkins as first overall and first male. Congratulations to Ginna Reid as first female. I’ve included a link to the results below. The results are posted at imAthlete and it appears every finisher is in there twice and the gender and age group rankings appear a little mixed up. There are two males in their 50s who are both 1st in their age group, yet their age group is supposed to be 50-59. Frankie Adkins is first place male but there is no second place male.
By the way, I have no personal gripe in this. I was fifth place in the 50-59 male age group regardless of how you slice it. I’ve made my points here for all the other runners who might otherwise have a hard time making their voice heard.
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Hi Dennis, Thanks for correcting me about the timing team. I should only have considered the race organizers. I was just so shocked about the results. I don’t even know now where I read the name of the timers. I am sorry I put any blame on them. But by now I bet this race will be much better next year and I hope to be there. Thanks, Dennis.
PS. Duffy, the canary got a new good home but I will be sure to give one of next year’s babies the same great name. Regards, Peggy
Thanks Peggy. I can’t wait to hear about the next Canary named Duffy.
Thank you Dennis. Well said! I’ve run races for over 40 years and I have never heard of unisex age groups! In the early 70’s, they lumped women runners into two groups at most. But at least woman always had some kind of grouping. And I agree that there should have been recognition to the top three overall of both sexes. Plus five year age divisions instead of ten years is a also a must, especially as the body ages. I could not understand the way they posted the results either. Confusing and inaccurate. For all the race organizers out there who may read this: I will not sign up for any races timed by Danny Phillips as he has to be a non-runner not to catch this glaring omission of women runners and other mistakes. I would also suggest offering print out sheets of the results right away. The course was beautiful but challenging and all the volunteers were just wonderful. I also met lots of friendly, fellow runners so I had a great time even in the cold. Thanks Dennis and thanks too to the second runner who replied. Regards, Peggy Glanz in Lake Lure.
Thanks Peggy – it was so nice to see you and I’m happy that you’ve posted a comment. I want to be clear about the responsibility for this. I believe it belongs squarely with the race organizers, not Danny Phillips and his timing team. They provide recommendations but at the end of the day, they do what’s requested by the race organizers. One more point, that timing team is indeed a groups of runners, highly experienced (and fast) in running and timing.
I can’t wait to see you at the next race! Thanks Peggy.
Your comments are well taken, Dennis. This was the 1004th race of my life and perhaps one of the most confusing at the concluding ceremonies. They started the one mile fun-run-walk while runners were still out on the course, and miss-timed some of them. Pre-race check-in went smooth and volunteers out on the course were more than helpful…..although a few left their posts while tail-enders were still coming in. The starting area needs to be widened as 200 runners were funneled through the 10 ft. wide finish line.
It would be nice to know how much money was raised for the Low Vision Center, a most deserving cause.