| Author |
Topic: 5K RR and Age Related Dilemma |
henrun
Cool Runner |
 posted Jun-03-2007 05:44 PM
   
Marj and I ran the second of a 6 race pub series today. If you run all 6 and subscribe to a regional running magazine there's a wrap up party and "goodies" (a jacket, etc).
The day was perfect for running (overcast and 60), the race well organized and mostly downhill through residential streets and ended with a BBQ and beer (of course-that's what pubs do). However, with 1600 entrants, there were no chips and it took us 45 seconds to get to the starting line and a few seconds more to get started. As usual, Marj and I started off together and separated quickly. She beat me by one minute and my increasing slowness is showing (age?) as I scored a one minute PW. Despite that I really enjoyed the race and saw many friends.
Now for the dilemma. I'm a member of the New England 65+ Runners Club (over 500 members). The publisher of the running magazine had encouraged our members to run the series. That, of course, brings out very competitive geezers.
The race application stated that there would be a full complement of age groups. So, imagine our chagrin when the results showed a 60 to 98 age group. Our fastest 70+ runners were justifiably upset (the fastest ended up 6th in that grouping).
I decided some time ago not to enter races that did not recognize older age groups. My dilemma is: should I compromise myself under such circumstances as this series presents? I wouldn't have won anything today but in future races I might if age grouping is equitable.
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Dark Horse
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-03-2007 06:28 PM
quote:
Originally posted by henrun:
very competitive geezers
henrun, Spareribs comes to mind. To answer your question, your individual choice to boycott the event might not make much impression on those whom you wish to impress, especially if they are getting such large numbers of participants. You would be the proverbial drop in the bucket, and an overflowing bucket at that. Perhaps it would be wiser to engage the foe directly, but in a friendly fashion, by suggesting they "improve" their event, "which is already wonderful," by following "the standard practice of other successful races," of dividing the field into age groups of five or 10 years. Just a thought. Dark Horse ------------------
I'm a dark horse, running on a dark race course
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henrun
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-03-2007 06:35 PM
Thanks DH. Actually 2 of my age cohorts were on their way to talk to the race director as we were leaving. And, I have no choice as to running the other 4 as my 'child bride' is.
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Dark Horse
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-03-2007 06:40 PM
quote:
Originally posted by henrun:
my 'child bride'
henrun, "I was a child and she was a child...." What a lovely poem, and of course now one thinks of Nabokov, too, who appropriated the lines for his novel. Dark Horse ------------------
I'm a dark horse, running on a dark race course
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La Tortuga
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-03-2007 06:49 PM
Henry - I totally agree with DH. Can you e-mail the RD? I think that guy Paul is in charge of this, no? Ask him to seperate out the groups better for future races and go back to the two already run. If it is Paul - he has a dog - he can't be all that bad!When is the next one?
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Sans Souci
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-03-2007 07:16 PM
henrun, great to hear you and Marj enjoyed the race and saw friends.I agree with my friends' posts above. Dumb idea, 60-98. In this part of the world, the men's groupings over 60 have more participants than the under 20s and often the 20-25 group as well.
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Doctor Wu
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-03-2007 07:18 PM
The perfect protest would be to show up and drink all their beer.
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tomwhite
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-03-2007 07:33 PM
.........or get 'em to make a 1-19 Age Group,,,,,,,,and a 20-40,,,,.........should simplify their score keeping......
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La Tortuga
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-03-2007 07:52 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Doctor Wu:
The perfect protest would be to show up and drink all their beer.
Good idea - I will help protest!!!
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cajohnson5
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-03-2007 08:58 PM
I can understand the frustration, but you had a good time, right? Isn't that the key? Voicing your frustration to the RD might make a difference, especially if they are the collective voice of 500 65+ members of your running club. cj
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tselbs
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-04-2007 08:50 AM
henrun (& marj), it's nice that you had a good race with lots of friends. In keeping with DH's suggestion, I'd hope that if the RD heard from a number of over 60 runners that he/she would be willing to add age groups in future races. I've been at races where the oldest age group was 60+ which wasn't too bad for me as I'm 63. However, I have also been at a couple where the oldest group was 50+ and that did affect me. Good luck with the RD. Whatever happens, I know you and marj will continue to enjoy yourselves.TomS ------------------
My Profile
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Canfit
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-04-2007 10:54 AM
We're all getting up into that age group, so it would nice to have all this settled before we get there. Seriously though, if enough of you 'constructively criticize' they'd be foolish not to make the change. Maybe get a petition going among your 500 members if the RD doesn't get the point.
PJ
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Coastwalker
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-04-2007 01:04 PM
Hi Henry,Since it was the publisher of the running mag. who encouraged your group to participate, I would also let him know about your dissatisfaction with the age groups. Shame on the RD for promising a "full complement of age groups" and then not delivering on his promise. It would have been just as easy to list the age groups on the entry form as to include that statement. It looks like the minute your lost to earn your PW was all at the beginning of the race, waiting to cross the start line and to get up to speed. But you were still fast enough to get some beer and barbecue! What to do about deciding which races to enter in the future? While it would be nice to reward those who include appropriate age groups with your presence, you should enter any race you feel like running. As DH said, an individual boycott will probably not make any difference. If they don't have your age group, find the RD after the race and let him/her know they've made a tactical error they need to address before their next race. Keep running, smiling, and chasing Marj! Jay
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Tramps
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-04-2007 01:06 PM
Henry,
FYI, our local races have only 400-500 runners but AG's regularly include 60-64, 65-69, 70+. I had the impression this was quite common. Perhaps one bit of ammunition for you is pointing out that many (most?) other races do include these age categories.Good luck.
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henrun
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-04-2007 03:29 PM
Thanks for your suggestions. As I mentioned, a couple of our members did seek out the RD after the race. We'll also contact the magazine publisher who is a great supporter of senior running.
Meanwhile, I'll continue running in races I enjoy, drinking their beer (one beer is usually my capacity-even when I was younger) and chasing Marj, even though she's getting faster as I get slower.
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tigger
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-04-2007 04:03 PM
Hi Henry,Long time no see! Hope you are doing well. My solution is a little different and devious. For the next race just put your age down as 99 and see what the bxstards do. That way you will be first in your category! And then you can make a point in spectacular fashion.
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Spareribs
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-04-2007 05:38 PM
I know, given your professional background and kindly approach, that you will write something appropriate to the RD, and I hope you encourage your friends to do the same. Hope it works out. Very disappointing. Spareribs
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maryt
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-04-2007 06:58 PM
henrunSeems like a good idea to me to email the RD and say that you loved the race, but you and the other members of the New England 65+ Runners Club were disappointed there weren't any 70+ age groups. MIght get it changed for next year. As for the other races in the series, you have the chance to be pro-active. You can do the same thing - say how disappointed you were that theCorrib Pub didn't have over 70+ age groups and ask if their race would consider adding them. If there aren't applications out already, you could probably find who the RD was last year somehow using Google - Google can find anything!  Do you know Fitz and Michelle? You might also mention it to them. They would certainly know who the RDs are for the races. It was good to see you and Marj. I did mostly walk-run on the last 2 miles, but I actuallly ran the whole first mile - first mile I've run since knee surgery, so I was really happy with that!
I do have a little problem with the statement below. I ceratinly remember that big downhill at the end - I had to walk the whole thing because my post-surgery knees won't take downhills - but it was a loop course! There had to be some uphills in there to match the downhills to make it all come out to the same start/finish, I think. 
quote:
Originally posted by henrun:
the race well organized and mostly downhill
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Ileneforward
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-05-2007 08:42 AM
Great job on the racing. I think you have plenty of speed to keep giving Marj a run for her money.
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kameele
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-05-2007 08:50 AM
Is that the equivalent of "I walked to school in the snow, uphill both ways, and we liked it!"?
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Jim24315
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-05-2007 05:29 PM
I like your spirit, HenrunToo many race directors can't comprehend that not everyone cares only about finishing. I've written directors to bicker over 4 seconds I thought they unfairly added to my time. If they are going to give out age group awards then they should make the groupings fair. It is certainly not fair to lump 60 and 70-yr olds into a single age group. I've been in running clubs for almost 30 years and have seen enough runners come and go to know what a big difference even 5 years can make in race times. I know what a difference it has made for me. It is irresponsible for directors to set up the groupings as they have in your race. You have every right to give 'em hell. GRRRRR!
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smpankowski
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-06-2007 05:34 AM
HenRun.
You have a valid point. Though I may need to out live my compitition, more people are running more miles in their golden years. The cost for additional AG awards is minimal. Thanks for the insightful RR.------------------
Never regret anything that made you smile, SteveP My User Profile
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hollys4874
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-07-2007 01:58 PM
Oh Henry – Marge will love it if you always chase her… Great suggestions from everyone above already. Hope it works, because 60-98 is ridiculous. I also think it’s strange to have such a large race (1600) with no chips. Still, you had a good time, ran with your lovely bride, and that’s really all that matters.
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Holly
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tallrunner
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-07-2007 07:31 PM
HenrunCongrats on a fine run and yes you should communicate with the RD. They truly need to understand why you may not run the race in the future. We have many races to choose from and should only run the ones we believe are right for us. I have given up going to a group of local races out here as their races were always long. I communicated with them (professionaly) but they answered with some "distance was okay...even though everyone complained that it was not. Anyway, with your spirit your times will go down not up Keep it up
Tall
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