Over the past few years, I noticed a downgrade in the trail
races race environment. I have not
competed in a trail race (only volunteered) in over four years, so my
observations and conclusions may not be valid. I have noticed the trail races are increasing in
participants to a point where you cannot “get to know” the runner. They are becoming more of a
business that succeeds on volunteers as opposed to a volunteer group who is not
concerned about profit, but breaking even at best. This drive for numbers changes all aspects of a race.
At the aid station, it becomes more of a directing the stampede
of horses through the canyon as opposed to getting personal and helping the
individual needs. This comment
comes from experience both as a participant and volunteer. To me, this is a shame!
Another issue is many runners are less experienced and have
higher expectations generally found on the road race. I had a runner yell at the director, as he got lost. So of the 250 runners, 10 got lost. Most found it so easy as they knew what
they were doing. This runner did not want to accept any
personal responsibility and blamed others for his mistake.
When I ran, I studied the map, learned the area and used
care when I knew a questionable turn was near. The lost runner who gets angry has little understanding what
it takes to mark a course and then there are people who do not want a race remove
markers. So if a runner is
prepared, they can overcome issues.
At Surf the Murph this past weekend, someone got lost and I said,
“Are you looking down to see the markers” and they said, “No, I am enjoying the
scenery”. Even when they are
directed to look for the markers…
They get mad, as someone else was the reason they got lost? I guess we need to mark the flags in
the ground, the trees and the sky, in case they look up?
I have had people ask me where the restroom was located was
while I was at primitive station on the Superior Hiking Trail. I had another who did not carry a water
bottle and then used 6-8 cups at the station. In the old days, trail runners were all environmentally
friendly, now I find more runners who just drop the trash anywhere and are just
plain rude. This may be because
the pay $100-$200 to run a race and that causes expectation. I do not want to discount many who are
very gracious, but I am finding more and more who are just self-centered
runners. I believe a majority is
fun, caring and knowledgeable runner, but we all know the worse patient takes
the most time and leaves the largest impression.
Then there's the other side that I noticed in a heated
exchange from Facebook. There was a spring 2014 ultra-marathon schedule on the
same day another longstanding ultra marathon on the same day. Some questioned why not another weekend
and why compete with the other race.
My response was “why not the same day, and maybe a third would be nice?”
Why you may ask? Because if there were more competition and
race options, maybe the price would go down, the number of runners at each
would go down, and they would become friendly once again. Also, I think different people cater to
different types of runner. While
the trail races I have run in the past are great races, the organization and
mentality of the group is not the same an I am. That does not mean they are not
great people who run great races, I just prefer another option. Like McDonalds, Subway, Wendy’s and
Burger King. All serve the same
crap, but we have preferences which we then prefer one over the other. Athletic events, to me, are the
same. Variety on the same weekend
is GREAT.
What I find it ironic is the person who was most upset about
this particular competition in race options ran a local race on the exact same
day as another ultra in the State. Although there were no comments or complaints about having
two longer trail races on the same day in that situation.
I look at it as supply and demand. Right now, I do not run
as many trail races, because I don't see the benefit of the high-priced and
lack of options. If there were
seven races on the same day, it would be better competition in pricing, in
services, and of course some would no longer be able to compete. But that’s the
way it is. Just like when a coffee shop opens up across from the neighborhood
coffee shop. In America they have that right, it’s called competition.
I recall when Stillwater, Minneapolis and Fargo all had
Spring Marathons and everyone was fearful of the demise of Grandma’s
Marathon. Now I can say I think I
can speak as an authority to say that Grandma’s could use a decrease in
runners. I have run and finished
the race every year since 1985. I
have seen it grow and the enjoyment decrease substantially as it became a small
race to another more than cattle hoarding. I return only as there is a streak, but would much prefer a
marathon where there were less than 500 runners, just like when the 100-mile
have 20 runners. It was small, we
knew everyone and it was enjoyable running an aid station. Now, aid stations are becoming less
enjoyable and I am really rethinking my future involvement. After all, a hobby should bring
satisfaction, and my last two volunteer efforts have been more work and burden
than satisfaction.
Maybe I should start running again so I only get to hang
with the people who are my pace and not experience all the “bad” elements I
have come to hate about the trail races lately.
