Runners - what makes a great race

3dogsrunning

Specifically, what makes a great race that is within the control of the race director/committee/volunteers.

I'm looking for fun races traditions, swag, whatever it is that makes people want to do the race again, any fun race ideas. Which race?
Thanks!

workout_junkee

There is a 5k I run every year because it gives a nice tech shirt. Maybe that is sad but I get tired of a drawer full of cotton t's I will never wear again.

Great after race "treats" are a plus too. A nice yummy doughnut is always waiting after one of my favorite races. A friend of mine lives for the pancake breakfast after her favorite race. The sat race I did ha bagged bagels and generic Oreos... Not cool.

Cool entertainment is a plus too. I love races that have activites for my kids while they wait with daddy.

Steve_Runs

Accurate course first off. If it's a 5K, then it better be 3.1 miles. Plenty of water both during and after the race. Good, healthy food afterwards. Please have bananas! Swag is nice too. Also important to me is the results. They have to accurate and not take forever to get posted.

I'm pretty picky about how races are ran as you can see.

Steve_Runs

There is a 5k I run every year because it gives a nice tech shirt. Maybe that is sad but I get tired of a drawer full of cotton t's I will never wear again.

Great after race "treats" are a plus too. A nice yummy doughnut is always waiting after one of my favorite races. A friend of mine lives for the pancake breakfast after her favorite race. The sat race I did ha bagged bagels and generic Oreos... Not cool.

Cool entertainment is a plus too. I love races that have activites for my kids while they wait with daddy.

I agree with this also. It's nice to get a nice tech shirt now and then. I also like to get a tank top occasionally.

MissNations

A WELL-ORGANIZED race is a pleasure.

-make sure the course is cleared of all obstacles (ran one last year where there was a @##$@ dumpster in the middle of the dang road)

-make sure the number of people allowed to run the race can fit in your end venue (same race ended in a park that was wayyyyy to small to hold all the contestants and supporters. they should've capped the number of entrants at a far smaller number)

-make sure there is plenty of water and plenty of people to hand it out at the end (same race...you get the picture) gatorade would be nice, too.

-make sure the course is CLEARLY marked.

-separation by pace is a very very good thing.

-if there is a tshirt or something, make sure the design/color are not the exact same year after year.

LilRedRooster

My favorite races are the smaller 5K and 10K runs that tend to be local (I ran a small one in Albuquerque last month that I loved, and a local one at the Royal Gorge Bridge last year that I'm planning on running again this year), and there are a few reasons why:

1) The goodie bags both had fun little swag. Things like coffee cups, wristbands (a local 5mi I ran in May had a cowbell, which was spiffy), and other fun stuff makes me feel pretty spiffy. It wasn't even expensive stuff, really, but it was a few odds and ends that I could keep and see often enough to remember the race fondly.

2) The race itself had fun little activities around the race itself, like games for kids, dog areas, and a variety of snacks or something fun after the race. I've been to many races that just had bananas and oranges afterward, and I was always unimpressed.

3) I also really love smaller races in general, because they have such a close feeling with all the racers and organizers.

4) Races where the course isn't confusing are nice. I've run a few where the arrows and markings weren't clear, and I don't like feeling like I'm running into unknown territory. Big signs, big arrows, and scenic routes are nice.

timboom1

1) Enough Port-a-poties so the lines are not 25 deep at a race of 300
2) Organized start, with clearly marked starting area and seperation of runners and walkers
3) Clearly marked course
4) Large enough finish area to keep things from backing up
5) Chip timing / Reasonably fast results
6) Lots of volunteers keeping things running smooth
7) Tech shirt that you would actually wear
8) Nice after race snacks

photokenzie

Races with diverse scenery...it helps to have something interesting to look at! And also, I've been to a couple races where they offered free post-race massages. I think the 10 min massage I got after completing my first half was the reason I could still move throughout the rest of the day ;-)

godblessourhome

for me, a race that i will do over and over again has:

-a decent price ($25-$30 for a 5k, no more than $65 for a half)
-a good course, not convoluted or tons of repeats
-a nice TECH shirt, not unisex (i covet the long-sleeved ones because they are rare)
-finisher medals (i lubs the bling)
-food at the beginning (especially bananas)
-food at the finish line (seriously, being handed a chocolate milk at the end instead of gatorade is the bomb), but not having to go to a 'dinner tent' or show a ticket and stand in line to get food
-water and fuel station every 2 miles, with fuel meaning more than watered down gatorade
-clearly defined mile markers
-chip timing and fast results posted
-a photographer that takes a picture of every person at the finish line (and if it is a long race, a few during)
-a million porta-potties
-arranged FREE transportation back to the start line

i don't care about goody bags or post entertainment or expos. or top prize money.

sheddingmyfatsuit

I agree with others who said tech shirts are appreciated. And it would REALLY be nice if they weren't unisex. I like women's shirts that fit our shape. No big square cotton T's....I'll never wear it.

stingrayinfl

Post race food

mlb929

The Portland Marathon is by far the best marathon I've ever ran. Great organization, safe course - meaning least likely to get injured, great swag, super course support, wonderful fans, announcing of my name as I crossed the finish line, super post-race events, fast course, pretty scenery, super other racers polite and friendly, super law enforcement presence, etc.

Woodlands Texas also put on a great race this past March. Smaller race, but well support, good course, friendly people, post race needed some work but it was good. Marathon course is a double loop, so not sure I would want to do it.

Events that I've done that just seem to overall be a fail to me are the Rock and Roll events, the few I've ran or been privy too have had poor course support, badly designed course, disappointing swag, unorganized start, poor post race finish, bad course photography, overall disappointing for the money.