Guest Post: Racing ...by Pat Walsh

 ** Racing **

Home from Hols and lost track of the days for a Friday Post. 😃 

Lot of comments on various social streams about races and numbers attending. Are they up or down, what is happening? I’m only writing a personal post of my opinion.

Races are too dear. 

15 to 20 to run a 5k to 5ml is excessive. 

DCM is over 100 and some City half are in the region of 65.

Every race run by a club think they are the best race, but when there is one in every village by all the clubs in a short space of time, then they cannot all be supported. 

Running numbers are down and club membership is down.

Triathlons and adventure races are currently offering an attractive alternative. 

Clubs cannot compete with the big commercial races as they are profit making and have the promotional expertise to make their race the ONE to DO.

Charities have latched onto runners as a possible fund raising cause but there is a limit on this and every worthy cause cannot be supported. Golf Classics were the charity go-to a few years ago and that died a death. Races for charity cannot be taken for granted.

Take fuel prices and maybe and overnight stay and then wonder how attractive is any race.

Some things to consider.

Category prizes when there is only a few competitors. There are category winners with no other competition. I’m old, Im Happy,  just show me the start line and a cuppa. Clubs could generate more profit by reviewing the whole category stuff. 

A city marathon might seem excessive but when people plan for months and make a weekend of it, then the actual price of the race is only a part of the equation. 

Support charities but runners are not the only fund raising means.

Fact

10 euro gets you a run with buddies and a cuppa and food afterwards. For many that is their weekend since Covid and they are happy.

Time is also a quantifiable commodity… Even if the price and occasion is right some people cannot commit to the overall time to do a short race. 

An evening short race can take 3 hours of your time. Some love this whole social stuff (me included) but not everyone is as lucky and free time is a valuable commodity.

There are only so many runners with limited budgets. Don’t take non-attendance at your race only a reflection of where we are now.

That is it…Comments welcomed as long as they are respectful

Did a 13 today after the hols. Stuck to the couch. Homer Simpson Arse Groove being generated. Thanks to my own crew for the help.#SpecialPeople

#PWR