Finally, it is important for Tim Taylor and the team at First Carolina State Bank to know how valueable this event is to Rocky Mount. You can email their general email box at ebank@fcsbank.com. It is worth the time to send them a message.
Saturday, December 08, 2007
What did you think?
Congrats to everyone who raced this morning in the First Carolina State Bank Half Marathon and 5k. Good or bad, let me know what you thought. You are welcome to post anonymously if you would like to. I am looking for feedback from anyone, even if you do not post here normally. I will share feedback with Butch. I also strongly encourage you to contact Butch directly by going to ncraces.com.
Finally, it is important for Tim Taylor and the team at First Carolina State Bank to know how valueable this event is to Rocky Mount. You can email their general email box at ebank@fcsbank.com. It is worth the time to send them a message.
Finally, it is important for Tim Taylor and the team at First Carolina State Bank to know how valueable this event is to Rocky Mount. You can email their general email box at ebank@fcsbank.com. It is worth the time to send them a message.
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I thought the race went very well. I wish there could have been another time clock along the course somewhere. Also if the mile markers could have been more visible throughout the second half of the course. But I understand that was probably a volunteer situation. Overall, I thought the race went very smoothly
ReplyDeleteI had a great time. I have not run with the "group" since early summer and had a blast today seeing everyone especially where we met on the trail. Everyone was supportive and positive!!
ReplyDeleteI loved having it here, I felt sooo relaxed this am, no real nervous jitters like I normally have.
I think Butch and Michael and all the others who volunteered their time did a GREAT job and should feel proud for pulling this off.Micahel, the helmet was priceless! I agree that if we have a chance to really advertise this race, it will continue to grow.
I agree with Derek about the time clocks and mile markers. I think its simply like he said, a volunteer issue. Maybe next year have a school sponsor each mile marker and have a contest for best cheering or most original costumes. Just a suggestion.
The police and fire department did a great job, I never felt unsafe on the course. They were comical at times trying to tell us it was all downhill when I knew better...
The course was great. I enjoyed the route and the people that I was running around also enjoyed it and made several comments about how it all seemed to flow together. I dont think there was a problem with 2 way traffic. If the race gets bigger, that might be an issue.
Post race, I never saw any bananas and I know you had them since I saw you buying them. It could have been that I overlooked them.
Pizza was good!
The kid jumpy things were a huge hit.
All in all, I think it was a positive experience and one that I hope that we can continue in Rocky Mount.
Congrats to everyone that came out and great job to those who won or placed in their age group. I heard a lot of Rocky Mount names!!!
michael,
ReplyDeletei don't think it could have been better for a first race. i heard a ton of positive comments and i heard a bunch of people say they heard a bunch. that's a lot of bunches.
what a great course. i know i'm prejudiced, but what is there not to like about that course: sceneic, quiet (talk about no traffic, awesome), fast, variety- i would say unprecedented variety!
good volunteers all around. i thought the water stops were plentiful. had to ask for gatorade- should have been calling out, but that is no biggy.
not just because we did it at our stops, but i would have liked more of a christmas feel. i love tracy's idea about sponsoring mile markers-live music from school groups would be good. i am volunteering mine right now, but let's make it christmassy. that way it is more unique, not just a poor imitation of rock-n-roll races.
i thought awards could have started sooner, but it wasn't too bad. i liked the awards, medals were great. the boys liked the awards too.
just a great, great race. i can see no way this will not grow into a destination race, unless we drop the ball. but, with our fearless leader, i don't see that happening!
if the paper would get on board sooner, we would get some fan support i think. look for big articles tomorrow. i don't know if i told you but they are featuring our boys in a "perspectives".
ReplyDeleteyou were swamped, but an rmec table would have been great, and we need cards. i had two or three people that i would have given cards to. i just tell them the web address. i think steve mutch will be joining us. he did great today. i met him on the course. we ran together for about 5 miles. it was his first half, and he did around 1:43. he was in a running club in iowa before moving here.
the shirts were great, i loved passing members on the the trail.
Unbelievable success! For Rocky Mount's first 1/2 marathon, things went very smoothly.
ReplyDeletePositives:
The course - I wouldn't change a thing. I absolutely loved passing people on the two way parts! Tons of fun. To me it more than makes up for the increased chance of cheating.
The volunteers - For the first time, volunteer support was great!
The price - it was really a great value.
The shirt - Loved the 100% cotton, long sleeved shirt. And the picture was GREAT!
Suggested Improvements:
Medal was not very cool . . bet next year it can be better.
Maybe date the shirt and move the sponsers' logos to the back (if they will let you!)
Mile marker signs as well as the painted ones.
More spectators. Rocky Mount citizens could have done better . . . but it is probably not their fault. I bet most didn't even know about the race. MORE PUBLICITY is needed. Chamber of Commerce should have done much, much more.
Consider moving the Down East festival to this time, or developing a new festival for this weekend! Maybe a Sports Festival of some sort.
Would like the finish chute to be closer to the food and activities.
Different race numbers for the 5K and the Half.
Consider making an optional marathon . . . just loop again! Maybe without all the police if they would allow it/
Want to support First Carolina and their sponsership, but the packet pickup area had a lot of traffic with their Friday PM drive up window. Maybe a different location.
Overall a Great race. Thanks to everyone involved.
Frank Lilley
I agree with all of the above comments. Beautiful course, well marked (or directed as needed), fun, fun, fun. Loved the kids with the boom boxes in Battle Park.
ReplyDeleteI do have one complaint. Where the heck were the portajohns?!! I was not the only runner asking that question. Many thanks to Falls Road Baptist Church for letting me use theirs at mile 6 or 7 - but by that time I was really about to bust! I think it would have been good if we could have had some at mile 2 or 3.
I think that next year we will get more fans along the way. I like the idea of getting schools and clubs to "sponsor" mile markers. I bet word spreads about what a great race this was.
Great job, Michael!
Misty
Great course....let's hope for more rain next year...the fast flowing river would have made it even more scenic....it really was pretty.
ReplyDeleteVolunteers were great--I did experience them yelling out water or gatorade....but they did have the cups lined up on the ground (oops..Jeff just told me some tables were stolen--SAD!!)
Never mind. I guess next time just set up tables in the am.
I think the mile station contest would be great!!! It will be relatively easy to come up with 13 groups!!
AWARDS:--great--think the 5k awards could be given out before the kids races.(people were getting antsy)
KIDS RACES: Possibly medals for the kids next year?? Bouncing activities were GREAT!!!! Also, perhaps a "final mile " program for the elementary and middle schools??I will be willing to assist with this next year!! This can also draw large crowds and families as well. They can "train" and log miles during the school year (25 miles) and complete their final mile at the race and recieve some sort of marathon award/medal/shirt. And I think $5 and $10 is a great price for the race and shirt with award. It does make it an affordable day to have the whole family involved.
PORT-A-POTTIES: I agree with Misty--at least one or two on the course is nice.
FINISH LINE: Perhaps could be wider or more visibly marked.
POLICE OFFICERS: Jeff states that more hot female officers (like the one at mile 6 or 7) would be appreciated. Several runners inquired about looping around again...
It really was a great day/race/fun family time!!! I actually met 2 people today who lived in West Mount and had no idea the race was happening until it passed their house. They plan to run next year and I gave out our website to 2 different families today. So on a final note...we will have more time to advertise this race next year. Great job Michael and Butch and to all of the volunteers!!!!
Nothing but good! Any runner who showed up got a course above all others, support (including for the kids) that could be taken for granted, logistics far above average, plus a cool shirt, free coffee, and pizza!
ReplyDeleteAn on-course clock will be here next year. It was shipped from Texas on Tuesday and didn't make it.
Christmas music will be available next year, either in addition to or instead of the tunes in the park.
By next year, we should be able to get streaming video on line by the afternoon of the race. We had 2 cameras this year and I couldn't find the volunteers. There was little time or luck capturing conscripts before the race.
Greenville runners who skipped the Kiowa Island race to come to Rocky Mount were well-satisfied and vowed to return with reinforcements. The course record should fall next year.
The Telegram let us down a little, I think, on Friday. Their managing editor used to be a runner, so I'm not sure what was up with not giving the community a little notice.
I think the loop around the MLK, Jr statue is an excellent place for assembling groups to support the runners, and churches can help make this happen. Gospel and Christmas carols would have been really cool there, and I'll be glad to help work on this.
We may be able to trim down police requirements with the local Gold Wing Club. They make great support staff, pace bikes, intersection volunteers, and they have radios. Plus, then we may be able to look at a Police-Fire "challenge" with a traveling trophy.
I think shooting for 1000 runners i '08 would not be out of the realm of possibilities. The Half-Marathon series will be winding up, and we'll have the advantage of a core group of runners who want to finish the whole series. I know I do. There will be established times and rivalries by then, and I'm sure there'll be at least one sub-six minute finisher, if not a dozen or so.
I tried hotel discounts in Greenville once, with a late checkout time for runners. It didn't work then, but it may now. Runners have more money these days.
I can't see how we won't just have a bang-up race next year. We have the three main ingredients: A great sponsor, Michael's infectious good attitude, and pretty women in tights.
Great job, Michael and RMEG, and I think it's a good start to a long-term deal in the city.
Great idea, Patti, on the Final Mile. I'll ask Jeff Dodrill at NNHS and Red Oak Middle about the viability of that, especially in a school PE situation.
ReplyDeleteGood Race, and how GREAT not to have to get up really early and drive over an hour for an event. I really enjoyed the course and the half distance. Overall it was more than I expected for an inaugural event. I am looking forward to next year. Big Thanks to Michael for this and all he does for this growing running community.
ReplyDeleteNow for the bad:
The water spilled from the cups as I was trying to run & drink (LOL)
Good Job!
Jason I
I also had a terrific time. Having this in Rocky Mount made for a great "low stress" event for local runners and the unique course should attract many more from other areas in years ahead. Loved the West Haven and Lake portions. Many thanks to Michael, Butch, supporters/volunteers/sponsors, and all participants for a great inaugural event !
ReplyDeleteI'd like to echo all of the positive sentiments that have already been listed. Rocky Mount's course is very scenic and it was a very enjoyable run. The music in Battle Park was my fav!! More music next year. Earlier and better publicity will allow for more community involvement. Now that one's in the books, the word of mouth method should also help to draw more runners and volunteers for next year. I'd like to say a big "Thanks" to Michael and all volunteers for working so hard to make everything go so smoothly. It all went off so well, it was hard to believe this was Rocky Mount's first 1/2 marathon. I agree with Arthur--it was so nice with it being right here in our back yard. I look forward to many, many more here in Rocky Mount.
ReplyDeleteGreat day for a race.....I echo everything Frank said plus 2 more suggestions.
ReplyDelete1) there was confusion around were the starting line was....could not hear pre race announcements from line
2) Very appreciative of premier sponsor, however, wish we could keep Tar River in the name....like the City of Oaks in Raleigh.
Larry (roadrunner)
Overall, a very nice running event. After months of anticipation and witnessing all of the planning going into it, it's a great feeling to see it go so well. And the best part is that it was in Rocky Mount.
ReplyDeleteSpecial thanks to Michael for all of the energy, time, and ideas put into this to help Butch plan this race.
Here's my feedback...
Positives include:
Smooth packet pick-up Friday afternoon.
Easy access to Sunset Park and parking.
Great race course.
Plenty of volunteers on the course.
Friendly police officers.
Perfect weather (thank God for that!).
Great "showing" by local runners.
Good post-race food: pizza, granola bars, banannas.
Decent awards for age-group winners - nice touch to have them embroidered with the race logo.
Inflatables for children -- HUGE HIT!
Suggestions for improvement:
Implement a "chip check" prior to the race. I had a dead chip but didn't know it until afterwards when the results were posted at the race site. Every other half-marathon or marathon I've run has checked my chip ahead of time -- and have always given them out the day before with my packet.
Involve more area businesses -- through sponsorship (some ideas have already been given on this). A host hotel could be designated with a "race rate" for out of town runners. Sponsors could have tables or booths set up at the race. For example, if you have a grocery store sponsor, they could give out a post-race snack, coupons, etc.
Improve the medal - compared to other races the medal is low quality. It's still great to receive a medal regardless but I would be willing to pay extra in the entry fee to get a better quality/more unique medal.
Consider official race photography. It's such a nice course, it would set up well for race photos (other than the "busch-league" ones I took).
Consider providing a bag check. This wasn't a big deal this year with the number of participants but if it were a larger crowd, having a safe spot close-by to stow your bag would be nice.
That's all for now.