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Race hydration: Buyer beware (Page 2)
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 2009-09-21 8:37 AM in reply to: #2416116 |
Expert  632    Cornfields of Illinois |  Subject: RE: Race hydration: Buyer bewareranger5oh - 2009-09-20 11:46 AM On short tris and Dus, its very expensive to provide aid stations when the cost is spread only among 100 or so athletes. Its especially hard when lets say, only 10 or so of those people really "need" water during the race because they showed up unprepared. really?? it's very expensive to have a couple 5 gallon jugs with paper cups and 5-10 volunteers?? This was a YMCA organized race which in my experience usually has no problems finding volunteers. If a RD can't find enough volunteers to help with water stations in ANY size race and can't find any businesses willing to donate some food, then IMO maybe they shouldn't be a RD. I have never organized a race myself but have helped solicit sponsors and volunteered at many races and never had a problem with either of these (maybe i'm just living in the right location though  ) |
| 2009-09-21 8:42 AM in reply to: #2417223 |
Champion 19812  MA | Subject: RE: Race hydration: Buyer beware bulldog520 - 2009-09-21 9:37 AM ranger5oh - 2009-09-20 11:46 AM On short tris and Dus, its very expensive to provide aid stations when the cost is spread only among 100 or so athletes. Its especially hard when lets say, only 10 or so of those people really "need" water during the race because they showed up unprepared. really?? it's very expensive to have a couple 5 gallon jugs with paper cups and 5-10 volunteers?? This was a YMCA organized race which in my experience usually has no problems finding volunteers. If a RD can't find enough volunteers to help with water stations in ANY size race and can't find any businesses willing to donate some food, then IMO maybe they shouldn't be a RD. I have never organized a race myself but have helped solicit sponsors and volunteered at many races and never had a problem with either of these (maybe i'm just living in the right location though )A lot of races 'pay' via a donation to groups that man a full aid station. You'll see groups at boy scouts, cheerleaders, and other similar organizations. They don't do it out of the kindness of their heart generally but for the donation to their organization the race gives back to them. It's a pretty common way bigger races get groups to man aid stations. Even IMLP in '08 had some aid stations typically far from transition that were different organizations and not random volunteers that signed up on line that receive a donation to their group. |
| 2009-09-21 8:50 AM in reply to: #2417223 |
Elite 3371 | Subject: RE: Race hydration: Buyer beware bulldog520 - 2009-09-21 9:37 AM ranger5oh - 2009-09-20 11:46 AM On short tris and Dus, its very expensive to provide aid stations when the cost is spread only among 100 or so athletes. Its especially hard when lets say, only 10 or so of those people really "need" water during the race because they showed up unprepared. really?? it's very expensive to have a couple 5 gallon jugs with paper cups and 5-10 volunteers?? This was a YMCA organized race which in my experience usually has no problems finding volunteers. If a RD can't find enough volunteers to help with water stations in ANY size race and can't find any businesses willing to donate some food, then IMO maybe they shouldn't be a RD. I have never organized a race myself but have helped solicit sponsors and volunteered at many races and never had a problem with either of these (maybe i'm just living in the right location though )I was going to leave this one alone... But, yeah, that was my thought too. Not to mention the high price of water. |
| 2009-09-21 9:10 AM in reply to: #2415836 |
| Master 1963 | Subject: RE: Race hydration: Buyer beware I think it's a racer's responsibility to handle overall nutrition/hydration and for me one of the biggest things is finding out BEFORE the race what the situation is going to be including 1) how many water stops 2) where are the water stop 3) how far apart are they and 5) possibly, what are they serving (heed, gatorade, cytomax, etc) Most races I've seen either tell you this in an athlete's guide or usually can be handled by a quick email to the RD. I understand your friend's frustration, especially in 85 degree heat. I agree that their should have been water stops but she should have inquired ahead of time. I think a letter to the RD is a great idea, but it's all about delivery. Going in screaming may make you feel a bit better but does nothing to improve the race for next year, so it all depends what the goal of the letter is. Edited to add... I am surprised some said they expect nothing for races less than an HIM/IM? Safe course and support are really some of main reasons I pay an entry fee. I'm not saying you have to have 20 aid stations, but certainly I think some support is expected for the $$. Otherwise, as mentioned, I'll just go ride on my own and support myself. Edited by merlin2375 2009-09-21 9:12 AM |
| 2009-09-21 11:25 AM in reply to: #2415836 |
Master 2216 | Subject: RE: Race hydration: Buyer beware Personally, I'd be more inclined to forgive them if I wasn't diligent enough to think to bring my own water bottle. I think it was a good learning experience. While it's obvious the race organizers did a sub-par job with the aid stations, those were nice short distances with a fairly moderate temperature. It sucks, but you won't forget your bottles next time!  |
| 2009-09-21 11:34 AM in reply to: #2416116 |
| Alpharetta, Georgia | Subject: RE: Race hydration: Buyer beware ranger5oh - 2009-09-20 11:46 AM On short tris and Dus, its very expensive to provide aid stations when the cost is spread only among 100 or so athletes. I wouldn't consider a card table (can be borrowed), a water container filled with tap water (can be borrowed), paper cups, and volunteers as "very expensive." At all. The maximum cost they will be out is the cost of the paper cups and trash bags to clean up (which they should have anyway). I would definitely expect one water station on the run, unless it was specified in the race packet beforehand that there would be none. That is pretty much a race standard. |
| 2009-09-21 11:51 AM in reply to: #2417682 |
Champion 10021 , Minnesota Bronze member | Subject: RE: Race hydration: Buyer beware In a duathlon of this length, I would expect a water stop on the run. That way you would see the same water stop twice, right? In addition there should be some water at the end. The water situation should have been explained in the race information either way. If the Y didn't specify "no water" then a letter is in order. I am not afraid to comment after races, but I try to keep it in the "constructive criticism" category. I do a race just like this in the Spring. Same distances basically and pretty small. Even though it's from an RD who routinely makes gaffes, even he has a water stop. Heck, I'd even take an unmanned couple of jugs and a trash bin if volunteers is a problem. (And of course I am sure your friend will never forget the water again... lessons learned) |
| 2009-09-21 12:04 PM in reply to: #2415836 |
| Expert 936 Salisbury | Subject: RE: Race hydration: Buyer beware I say write the letter. I agree that you "should" have brought a water bottle but... Suppose you did and it fell off your bike without you knowing it? Suppose the store you planned on buying water from was closed that morning? IMO just too many reasons to have something available on site. This is exactly why I did my first IM on an "official" IM race. I knew I'd have plenty of support.
Edit: Also, off hand I can't think of a 5k that didn't have water.
Edited by Rencor 2009-09-21 12:05 PM |
| 2009-09-21 12:05 PM in reply to: #2417234 |
Expert 632 Cornfields of Illinois | Subject: RE: Race hydration: Buyer beware KathyG - 2009-09-21 8:42 AM bulldog520 - 2009-09-21 9:37 AM ranger5oh - 2009-09-20 11:46 AM On short tris and Dus, its very expensive to provide aid stations when the cost is spread only among 100 or so athletes. Its especially hard when lets say, only 10 or so of those people really "need" water during the race because they showed up unprepared. really?? it's very expensive to have a couple 5 gallon jugs with paper cups and 5-10 volunteers?? This was a YMCA organized race which in my experience usually has no problems finding volunteers. If a RD can't find enough volunteers to help with water stations in ANY size race and can't find any businesses willing to donate some food, then IMO maybe they shouldn't be a RD. I have never organized a race myself but have helped solicit sponsors and volunteered at many races and never had a problem with either of these (maybe i'm just living in the right location though )A lot of races 'pay' via a donation to groups that man a full aid station. You'll see groups at boy scouts, cheerleaders, and other similar organizations. They don't do it out of the kindness of their heart generally but for the donation to their organization the race gives back to them. It's a pretty common way bigger races get groups to man aid stations. Even IMLP in '08 had some aid stations typically far from transition that were different organizations and not random volunteers that signed up on line that receive a donation to their group. I realize this for the longer, more aid stations events but for shorter 5k's and 4 mile races, it's mostly just club members that volunteer. I have never been paid to do aid stations, direct traffic, help with transitions, etc. in smaller but then again i do it to help out as a fan volunteer not as a group volunteer due to injury or race schedule, etc. so that may be the difference. ETA to the OP - Definitely write a nice letter explaining your concerns. It could have been the RD's first race, with more experience...they may make it a great event year after year. Edited by bulldog520 2009-09-21 12:07 PM |
| 2009-09-21 3:14 PM in reply to: #2415836 |
Expert 805 Portland,OR | Subject: RE: Race hydration: Buyer beware I did a local 1/2 marathon this weekend that had 5 water stations and there were only 220 participants. Unless they specifically state there are no water stations I think you should/would expect them to have something. That said, not having it on the bike is kinda your bad. |
| 2009-09-21 3:21 PM in reply to: #2415836 |
Science Nerd 28760 Redwood City, California | Subject: RE: Race hydration: Buyer beware I can see both sides of this on the run course. If they weren't going to have a water stop, it would be nice if they made the participants aware of that ahead of time. And, I think they should have had water at the end for everyone. That being said, I don't think they should have provided anything on the bike. I've never done a sprint that had water available on the bike course. That's your responsibility. |
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