Critique of GAR

[frojoe23]

So, we have all had some time to think about how our races went and all of the other stuff with the GAR as well. I was just wondering what people thought were some positive things that the GAR had this year along with any negative things. Feel free to post what you feel. I know that we are looking for some good feedback.

The most positive thing that I can bring out of the GAR is that the men's elite field was tremendous. I think you have to go back to the mid-90's to find a field with as much talent as we had there. Two guys who have already run in the OT marathon trials (and are hoping to again) along with two young guys who are gunning to run under the standard of 2:22. It was a race where all four of those guys were in great shape being at the tail end of marathon training. Along with that, you can't forget that the women's winner (Heather Bury) was also a OT marathon trial qualifier in '04. It was a great job by Dennis Mickey to bring such a field in and it was a hotly contested race for the men's overall and master's title. I look for that elite field to be back for years to come and bring some of their friends as well.

The negative that I have heard the most of is that there were no volunteers calling out splits at the mile marks.

[tommy]

I had never run the 15k of this event before so I didn't have a past experience to compare it to, but I thought it went great. Very smooth and organized. As Jaron mentioned already, my only complaint would be people calling out the splits, but that is the only thing I can think to complain about. Dave did a great job organizing it, and everyone involved should be proud that it went so well.

[mertz]

I agree with what tommy said. Thats the one thing that needs fixed for next year. As my first 15k I thought it was run very well. Hopefully next year Chris runs it.

[davetreber]

Thank you for the comments on the GAR.
I am starting to plan the transition from 2006 wrap-up to 2007 planning, and I welcome any runners' comments, especially keeping the GAR an event that is for runners, by runners.
Some quick comments, I would make as race director:
-- We are planning on split times next year.
-- Extra porta-potty in Mount Savage, too, or support of the Shrine Club to have that building opened up and then we get the facilities there and some warmth.
-- We had a lot more walkup entries than we were expecting. A pleasant dilemma, of course -- all the volunteers were ready to serve all the runners. In talking to other race directors, that is a trend and we will just assume that with a good day weather-wise we might just double our field in the final 12 hours. I think everyone got t-shirts?! I had delivered a lot of them, at least the Allegany County ones, which was actually rather fun getting to drive to places all over the mountains and neighborhoods.
-- The GAR seems to be one of the few races that has such good support for the 2nd tier elite (for lack of better term, our not Meb, but could be the next Meb crowd). We want that to continue - thanks to Denny M. for bringing that all together.
-- I heard one random comment that people want a different shirt each year. I will admit I really did not think that much about this color for 2006 vs. that color for 2005. IEasy enough to make it White, Red, Yellow, Black next year (for Maryland and Mountain Ridge) or whatever else. Suggestions -- just let me know.
-- GAR depends on sponsors and then we are also able to make a charitable donation from this race, too. If anyone knows of businesses that might be good sponsors for the 26th GAR (Oct. 6, 2007) let me know.
-- One thing that was interesting to me was we had a couple of entrants who told me they ran GAR #1 and this one, and none in between!
-- I have scheduled a meeting for Jan. 23, 6:30 pm, at the YMCA for anyone who wants to be part of the steering committee for the 2007 GAR. Any ideas are welcome, especially from people ready to do the work to make it happen.
-- Thanks for everyone's participation in the 2006 race.

Dave Treber

[davetreber]

Thank you to all who participated in the Great Allegany Run.
Any comments/critiques from the 2007 race, let me know.

A few random comments:
It was a great day for the Striders. Little did we know this would be a day with many problems at other races, but the GAR went very smooth, thanks to the contributions of many.
QCS runners did us proud -- congratulations to Jaron, Maureen, David, Tommy, others on great races.
Chap was the hero up at the start. I am still not completely sure what happened with communication and our regular starter, but he filled in and brought the official clock down, also made sure the Masonic Temple got all locked up.
-- I am extremely grateful to the Mount Savage Masons, our first time in there in about 15 years. They also have a phone inside, which helps us a lot with communication.
-- And the YMCA was very helpful with the transportation, and in getting volunteer support along the two-mile walk. One bus broke down on the way up that hill, and the runners had to move over to the next one. Some year, that will all go with no hitches!
-- Mike Spinnler and Dennis Mickey were great support on their bikes.
-- George Nolan did a lot of behind the scenes support activities, including getting all those signs out on the course and back up.
-- We'll have maps at the registration. Just something that slipped through. This is more an issue in the 5K and the walk -- that 15K course is pretty well known.
-- Shirts went over well. Color suggestions for 2008, let me know.
-- I have some award mugs for people who did not pick one up, even a few t-shirts. Let me know if you skipped out on the awards and I'll find a way to get yours to you.

Thanks again to all for a great Great Allegany Run.

Dave Treber
Race Director
[e-mail]

[kw]

Dave- It was my first time running a 15K (or anything longer than 10k for that matter) and I thought the race was excellent. I also hadn't run in an allegany county race in several years. I am always impressed with the way the races are run and organized in allegany county. You did a great job as race director! Keep up the good work. I'm looking forward to getting up that way more often for races.

[frojoe23]

I really don't want to complain as everything went right with me on race day. However, there was some talk that the stands that are set up at every mile marker were absent at mile 7 in the Narrows. While the mark was painted on the road, those unfamiliar with the course weren't able to spot it. Other than that, I didn't hear a negative comment!

[flyinghighrunner]

I spotted it on the road, not knowing where it was. I figured it was just a bad spot to place a marker and that's why it wasn't there. No complaints here on the whole experience. Nice job.

[kw]

I was able to see the 7 mile mark... although I wasn't going nearly as fast as most...

[davetreber]

Seven-mile sign? I'll check with George, who heroically gets all those heavy boards out there and then loads them back up for storage after, and report back. We do have a seven-mile board that I assumed was out there. I would like to say it was out in the morning when I drove down but will admit I was distracted putting cones back upright in the Narrows. (There is still a fair amount of traffic at 6 am). Dennis gives the marks a fresh coat of paint every year. The Seven board is the one that is newer than the others, because the original got run over and smashed to bits one year. Maybe the same culprit came back to the scene of the crime in '07.

[flyinghighrunner]

Maybe so....there was definitely no board there once the runners were going through.

[44hawk]

wasnt the 7 mile mark around the fruit bowl where the little bridge is at? This is my first year running feel free to correct me if I am wrong. I thought I seen the 7 mile sign, It was'nt faceing the runners because there was'nt any room to face it to the runners it was turned sideways,you would have had to been looking for it. Belive you me I was looking for everyone of them. I had a lot of fun doing it, will be back next year.

[tommy]

The 7 mile board was there. It was wrapped to the guard rail with bungee cables to keep it out of the way of traffic.