A few weeks ago I mentioned that I was trying to put
together an event that would be both fun and a challenge to runners. Well it
took me a bit longer to announce than I had anticipated, due to waiting a few
weeks for the selected venue to get back to me and give me the all clear, but I
can now announce that the event will take place on Sunday 31 May 2015.
The event is something I’ve had in my mind for a number of
years and is based upon something I really enjoyed during my competitive track
racing years. The format is based on the qualifying rounds, leading to a final,
of a championship event, with a bonus for fastest time set. There will be a
series of races held over an approximate 800-1000m grass course. The course
will be fast with some small hillocks and a few twists and turns. Each race will
act as a qualification race for the next round, with the first 50% of runners
in each race going through and the rest being eliminated. However anyone
eliminated, at any round (with the exception of the finalists), will get
another race for a chance to chase the fastest race time of the day. Prizes
will be given for fastest time by a male and fastest time by a female, along
with overall winner of both. At this moment I haven’t decided on prize value,
depends how many take part, but the more that take part the bigger the prize.
I’m pitching entry at £6 an athlete (plus £2 levy for non
UKA athletes), which works out at £3 a race for anyone eliminated at the first
hurdle and cheaper if you last longer. Obviously the number of races will depend
on how many enter but there will more than likely be a limit on numbers. The £6
also includes use of toilets and shower/changing facilities, plus there is
parking at the venue, though car sharing would be advisable. Entries will be
limited to age 14 and over (I was going to make it a bit older but having been
well and truly beaten recently by a number of youngsters I don’t think they
will feel out of their depth, and distance wise it is perfect for young athlete’s
development).
The venue is the playing fields at Holmes Chapel
Comprehensive School, with the Leisure Centre providing the toilets and
showers/changing facilities. There won’t be food or drinks made available, as
the races are short I would expect competitors to look after their own
rehydration and energy replacement just as if you were going to a track event
or a parkrun.
The format may change slightly, dependent on entries, but
I’m aiming to get the races running smoothly without too much of a gap between
them. I envisage I’ll start with male 1st round followed by female 1st
round, then male 2nd round and losers chasing times, then female 2nd
round and losers chasing times, and so on. Number of competitors per race will
be dependent on number of entries and number of timekeepers/helpers I can
muster up. There will also be a minimum time requirement to qualify as I don’t
want the races to become jogging events, I want to see some proper racing in
each round, if you don’t make the cut-off time you don’t progress, even if you’re
in the top half of your race, but it’ll be a realistic cut-off time.
Competitors will be chosen for each race using a random number generator, so
it’s quite possible the fastest runners may meet in round one, may even meet
again in round two, I feel it will add a bit of spice rather than trying to
seed it.
I see the benefits of the event in a number of ways. Firstly
they are short races so it’s similar to a track training session, albeit recoveries
will not be short, secondly it will help sharpen up athletes who want to run on
the track and also give them a chance to practice tactical awareness and
thirdly I hope it will bring some fun to a day out.
It’s a little different to what most people would expect of
a Sunday morning race but I’d like to think that difference is what will
attract runners to it, plus, if you get eliminated before you expect to, there
is a grass track that you could train on if you wanted to, or even if you want
to do a few reps in between rounds.
Obviously, until I have a clear number of entrants I don’t
know how long the event will go on but we aim to start at 10:00 and, with a
short break for lunch, get through to finals early afternoon.
I will be setting up an entry form and facebook page so I’d
welcome your support in an aim to make this a success and, furthermore, a
regular event. I’m also happy to take any advice off other meeting promoters
and feedback from competing athletes.
Written by Roger Alsop
www.rogeralsop.co.uk
Hi Roger. Is this event happening? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I've had to cancel the event, sorry.
ReplyDelete