Your opinion (Read 770 times)

Small 5k race that charges a premium for registration, in part to offset the cost of both the martinis they serve after and the prize money for the few elites they recruit to run. The course is miserably marked and the two lead women miss the major turn and end up adding nearly a half-mile. One recovers and ends up winning, but a good few minutes off her potential, while the other (putting out a 5k effort, not a 6k effort) does not have enough left and comes in 5th (no prize). Who is at fault? The race for not marking? The runners for not knowing the course and paying attention to street signs? Both these women were from another town. MTA: here is the discussion (feel free to jump in) - http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/timrock/vpost?id=2181795

I'm going to go with the race on this one. If you cannot get enough volunteers to man the turns and other critical points, then you need to provide ample markings. If the issue were that there had been signs up, but someone screwed with them (I have seen this happen, it sucks), then I wouldn't really blame the race. But as you stated, the course is poorly marked as it is. There is no reason for a poorly marked road race, ESPECIALLY a 5k.

I just learned that acording to USATF rule 243, the course will be marked and monitors will be provided whenever there is a change of direction. So it is not up to the runner to know the course. It is the RD that takes all the blame now.

As a race director, I can say that it is the race director's fault. Granted, my race is really easy to stay on course; you find the start line, you run straight for a mile, you stop, and every intersection is barricaded with volunteers to keep traffic from bugging you and cheer you on. But still, if anybody got lost on my course, it would either be my fault or it would take some special kind of stupid. Which would still be my fault. So there's my opinion.

when running is your job it's your responsiblity. but also everyone should know the course and pay attention at the pre-race anouncements for any last minute changes.

I'm not fast enough

Um, 3:30 yassos? Yes. You are fast enough. You just have to learn to use the Force.

I ran a small 5k this summer that had a similar problem. Though in this race, the volunteers were actually pointing runners in the wrong direction. It added a good half mile to the course. My biggest problem was near the finish, they started directing runners into the shoot prior to a final out and back loop (about a half mile)...to make up for the mistake I assume. Unfortunetly the top 20-30 runners weren't directed to this early finish, while the rest of the pack was. It really messed up the placing. I've gotta blame the RD...they should ensure the course is accurate and well-marked.