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What's the deal with packet pick-ups?!?
BY: faded_memories on 2011-08-25 11:31 PM
2 Races in two weeks really got me thinking about this.
Why do we have to go to packet pickup anyway?
Show up at the race site, or someplace 20 miles away from it 1 day to 5 days before the event and make ANOTHER trip to actually get to the race. Lots of time and gas wasted all over. Why can't the stuff just be mailed out?
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Eric : Yanti's personal surrogate eater of abandoned Pop-Tarts!
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp...
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RE: What's the deal with packet pick-ups?!?
BY: rexcoltrain on 2011-08-25 11:39 PM
I agree it's a pain but...mailing is an additional expense not just for postage but man hours packing them. You also have to sign up for some races well in advance, during which time people move, etc. It also gives the RD a more realistic idea of how many folks are going to show up on raceday. -
RE: What's the deal with packet pick-ups?!?
BY: NewClydesdale on 2011-08-25 11:43 PM
They also verify your USAT card and age. And if you don't show up they can resell the packets.
One local RD offers the first few registers an option for Race Day pickup. But it isn't many.
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Sprints:8 First-4/2/2011, Olympics:2 First-9/25/2011,
Half Marys:2 First-2/19/2012, Half IM:1 First-4/1/2012,
Full Marys:0 First-?? Full IM:0 First-??
Respectable finish time-Never -
RE: What's the deal with packet pick-ups?!?
BY: d00d on 2011-08-26 4:17 AM
For sprints and oly's, maybe even a small HIM, I agree...it is a pain to have to pick up the packet any day before the race itself. I don't see a logical reason for this. Luckily, most races don't do this...
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Strength does not come from physical capacity.
It comes from an indomitable will. - Gandhi -
RE: What's the deal with packet pick-ups?!?
BY: the bear on 2011-08-26 4:29 AM
Why don't you become a race director,then you can do things the way you want? We can always use additional races and race directors with novel ideas on how to do things more efficiently. Other than that you also have the options of only registering for in-town races or those that have race day packet pickup.
As already mentioned, the USAT requires that we verify the identity of every participant when we hand out packets. Besides that obvious requirement, can't you imagine what a cluster mailing of packets would be? People cannot put their right t-shirt sizes or correctly spell their name, much less put down their correct addresses. How much whining would you do if your packet was lost in the mail? Are you willing to pay an additional $20 for the materials, labor and postage to mail the packet? Do you know what an undertaking it would be to pack and label even 350 packets for a small race like mine?
I encourage day-before packet pickup by holding a scavenger hunt where participants visit local sponsor/merchants to register for $1,000 in doorprizes. But I also have race day packet pickup, which means I have to dedicate a half-dozen volunteers to that task rather than having them doing another useful task.
I also give particpants who can't make it to either packet pickup the option of having their packet mailed to them for $15. The week after the race.
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Administrator, Tri-Cajuns Club
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RE: What's the deal with packet pick-ups?!?
BY: d00d on 2011-08-26 4:46 AM
the bear - 2011-08-26 12:29 PMWhy don't you become a race director,then you can do things the way you want? We can always use additional races and race directors with novel ideas on how to do things more efficiently. Other than that you also have the options of only registering for in-town races or those that have race day packet pickup.
As already mentioned, the USAT requires that we verify the identity of every participant when we hand out packets. Besides that obvious requirement, can't you imagine what a cluster mailing of packets would be? People cannot put their right t-shirt sizes or correctly spell their name, much less put down their correct addresses. How much whining would you do if your packet was lost in the mail? Are you willing to pay an additional $20 for the materials, labor and postage to mail the packet? Do you know what an undertaking it would be to pack and label even 350 packets for a small race like mine?
I encourage day-before packet pickup by holding a scavenger hunt where participants visit local sponsor/merchants to register for $1,000 in doorprizes. But I also have race day packet pickup, which means I have to dedicate a half-dozen volunteers to that task rather than having them doing another useful task.
I also give particpants who can't make it to either packet pickup the option of having their packet mailed to them for $15. The week after the race.
USAT membership can be verified the day of the race...otherwise, pony up the $10 and buy another one...
Mailing packets, while an option, is not one that I'm all that fond of. I hate having to worry about the packet getting lost en route. Charging extra is a viable/acceptable option, IMO. Besides, I'm sure doing this, even for a small race, is quite the undertaking...checking USAT #, ensuring right tshirt size, right number, etc...sounds like a logistical nightmare.
Dedicating staff to help racers on race day is part of the job of being a RD. I think that is a useful task. I don't buy that one...
Good thing you have race day packet pickup...I think it would be a deterrent to participate in your events if you didn't.
Does anyone ever pay for a packet a week after the race? LOL...I guess if you REALLY want the tshirt.
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Strength does not come from physical capacity.
It comes from an indomitable will. - Gandhi -
RE: What's the deal with packet pick-ups?!?
BY: the bear on 2011-08-26 5:16 AM
d00d - 2011-08-26 4:46 AMthe bear - 2011-08-26 12:29 PMWhy don't you become a race director,then you can do things the way you want? We can always use additional races and race directors with novel ideas on how to do things more efficiently. Other than that you also have the options of only registering for in-town races or those that have race day packet pickup.
As already mentioned, the USAT requires that we verify the identity of every participant when we hand out packets. Besides that obvious requirement, can't you imagine what a cluster mailing of packets would be? People cannot put their right t-shirt sizes or correctly spell their name, much less put down their correct addresses. How much whining would you do if your packet was lost in the mail? Are you willing to pay an additional $20 for the materials, labor and postage to mail the packet? Do you know what an undertaking it would be to pack and label even 350 packets for a small race like mine?
I encourage day-before packet pickup by holding a scavenger hunt where participants visit local sponsor/merchants to register for $1,000 in doorprizes. But I also have race day packet pickup, which means I have to dedicate a half-dozen volunteers to that task rather than having them doing another useful task.
I also give particpants who can't make it to either packet pickup the option of having their packet mailed to them for $15. The week after the race.
USAT membership can be verified the day of the race...otherwise, pony up the $10 and buy another one...
Having to verify every participant in the hour or so before the race would further strain my limited volunteer staff. The choices become getting most of them through the day before, or have participants wait in line asignificant time on race day morning. Buying a one-day license is a lot more compicated and time-consuming than just showing ID, so I don't know what that solves.
Mailing packets, while an option, is not one that I'm all that fond of. I hate having to worry about the packet getting lost en route. Charging extra is a viable/acceptable option, IMO. Besides, I'm sure doing this, even for a small race, is quite the undertaking...checking USAT #, ensuring right tshirt size, right number, etc...sounds like a logistical nightmare.
I really don't see it as an option.
Dedicating staff to help racers on race day is part of the job of being a RD. I think that is a useful task. I don't buy that one...
I didn't say it wasn't useful, I said it keeps them from doing another useful task. As I said before, give race directing a go if you think managing a limited number of resources (e.g., volunteers) is so easy.
Good thing you have race day packet pickup...I think it would be a deterrent to participate in your events if you didn't.
I agree, that's why I do it. But I still encourage day-before pickup to eliminate that bottleneck on race day.
The oldest, biggest sprint in this state has only day-before packet pickup. At the close, unclaimed packets are distributed to those on the waiting list. Deterrent? This year they sold out in ten days, four months before race day.
Does anyone ever pay for a packet a week after the race? LOL...I guess if you REALLY want the tshirt.
We have more than just a nice technical fabric T-shirt in our packet. So, yes, those who cannot make the race for some reason do pay to have their packet shipped.
Edited by the bear 2011-08-26 5:25 AM
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Administrator, Tri-Cajuns Club
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RE: What's the deal with packet pick-ups?!?
BY: KathyG on 2011-08-26 7:53 AM
Here in NE most races you can do packet pick up race morning. Some RDs only offer it race morning.
Thinking about it other than WTC races, I don't think any races require you to pick up your packet before race day. Some of the races are big with 1000 folks so it can be done.
I have a BT friend from TX who always has to drive to pick up her packet before race day.
Interesting how many races are trying to go green but have folks make an extra trip to pick up packet isn't green.
Race day packet pick up works here in NE. I'm guessing parts of the country that don't offer race day pick up, haven't tried it or it is just the norm in that area.
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Dream Big, Train Consistently, Find joy in the journey -
RE: What's the deal with packet pick-ups?!?
BY: KathyG on 2011-08-26 7:57 AM
Those RDs that are efficient have the system down for packet pick up. Often there are 6-8 volunteers in 3-4 areas....2 checking USAT or filling out waivers, 2-3 marking folks off, kids or adults giving out shirts, swim caps and the like.
I've volunteered as have my kids for packet pick up day before and race day. Race day often the volunteers that work packet pick up move to another job after they finish.
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Dream Big, Train Consistently, Find joy in the journey -
RE: What's the deal with packet pick-ups?!?
BY: joker70 on 2011-08-26 8:13 AM
Pre-race expos are a huge money maker. We spoke to one of the vendors and for one of the big marathons, she pays $1500 per day. I'm guessing she makes that back easily in sales. So the Expo venue makes $ as does the RD and local businesses.
As for bib mail-back, many races I've done have that option... for an additional fee of course.
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A bad day racing is still better than a good day at work.
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RE: What's the deal with packet pick-ups?!?
BY: DerekL on 2011-08-26 8:15 AM
When you're done stomping your feet and shaking your fists, you might realize that they all do it that way for a good reason. -
RE: What's the deal with packet pick-ups?!?
BY: hattr21 on 2011-08-26 8:22 AM
I dont mind having to pick up my packet the day before seeing as how tomorrow is my first tri ever and I am going to drive down there so I can drive around the loop so I have an idea of where I am going. I think I would drive to the area of the tri whether pick up or not so I am familiar with the area. -
RE: What's the deal with packet pick-ups?!?
BY: Musicodm on 2011-08-26 8:32 AM
At Chisago Lakes I made sure to pick mine up the day before. The lines for the race day pick up and reg were so long that it delayed the first wave from starting. I would rather make all packet pick up before race day unless it was a smaller race just to make race day less hectic. -
RE: What's the deal with packet pick-ups?!?
BY: Goosedog on 2011-08-26 8:38 AM
DerekL - 2011-08-26 9:15 AM When you're done stomping your feet and shaking your fists, you might realize that they all do it that way for a good reason.Who is doing this?
When you're done making whatever point your trying to make, you'll realize a question was asked. You didn't answer it.
Edited by Goosedog 2011-08-26 8:39 AM
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RE: What's the deal with packet pick-ups?!?
BY: DerekL on 2011-08-26 8:54 AM
Goosedog - 2011-08-26 8:38 AMDerekL - 2011-08-26 9:15 AM When you're done stomping your feet and shaking your fists, you might realize that they all do it that way for a good reason.Who is doing this?
When you're done making whatever point your trying to make, you'll realize a question was asked. You didn't answer it.
Because it's already been answered by an actual RD.
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RE: What's the deal with packet pick-ups?!?
BY: Goosedog on 2011-08-26 8:55 AM
DerekL - 2011-08-26 9:54 AMGoosedog - 2011-08-26 8:38 AMDerekL - 2011-08-26 9:15 AM When you're done stomping your feet and shaking your fists, you might realize that they all do it that way for a good reason.Who is doing this?
When you're done making whatever point your trying to make, you'll realize a question was asked. You didn't answer it.
Because it's already been answered by an actual RD.
So you were just being rude for the sake of it?
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RE: What's the deal with packet pick-ups?!?
BY: DerekL on 2011-08-26 8:57 AM
Goosedog - 2011-08-26 8:55 AMDerekL - 2011-08-26 9:54 AMGoosedog - 2011-08-26 8:38 AMDerekL - 2011-08-26 9:15 AM When you're done stomping your feet and shaking your fists, you might realize that they all do it that way for a good reason.Who is doing this?
When you're done making whatever point your trying to make, you'll realize a question was asked. You didn't answer it.
Because it's already been answered by an actual RD.
So you were just being rude for the sake of it?
Thanks for your input.
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RE: What's the deal with packet pick-ups?!?
BY: BikerGrrrl on 2011-08-26 8:58 AM
I can see that mailing the packets would be frought with issues.
But, there are many races that I do that do NOT offer race day pickup. I really wish they all would. I like to get my packet in advance, so I can put all of the stickers and crap where they need to be, but would also like to have saved the drive in many cases.
I had a race this year with tattoos for numbers as well as approximately 48 stickers on an elaborate sheet to apply to everything I owned including myself. Since that took about an hour to figure out, I was glad to have it the night before!
And a note about t-shirts sizing: If I knew in advance the style of shirt ("unisex" or women's options, etc) I could tell you the right size. But it seems more often than not I arrive and find out the shirt is some weird style and I have to switch. So, I am glad I have that option!
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The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me.
~Ayn Rand -
RE: What's the deal with packet pick-ups?!?
BY: Goosedog on 2011-08-26 8:58 AM
DerekL - 2011-08-26 9:57 AMThanks for your input.
Yours as well.
Edited by Goosedog 2011-08-26 8:59 AM
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RE: What's the deal with packet pick-ups?!?
BY: TheClaaaw on 2011-08-26 9:15 AM
KathyG - 2011-08-26 8:53 AMHere in NE most races you can do packet pick up race morning. Some RDs only offer it race morning.
Thinking about it other than WTC races, I don't think any races require you to pick up your packet before race day. Some of the races are big with 1000 folks so it can be done.
It may indeed just be NE. I did a TriRock event in May, and they had required packet pickup the day before. (East coast, Annapolis.)
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The Doughboy Rises