spa 10K (Comments, complaints, etc.)

Joshua · Post by **Joshua** » Sat Nov 20, 2010 4:20 pm

The Spa Pacers are always looking to make the race better so please share your comments on today's race. I know many have remarked regarding the difficulty of finishing the 10K going around slower 5K runners. It's a common problem with dual races like this and Toad Suck but we will discuss any feedback and try to make the race better each year. On behalf of the Spa Pacers, thanks for coming out. We had great race weather but the sunshine for the post race never arrived as ordered.

Rocket Man · Post by **Rocket Man** » Sat Nov 20, 2010 4:37 pm

Well, there's the mountain that keeps gettin' in the way...
And the hard-to-follow directions: drive down the road, turn right.

Outstanding race (again), Joshua! I can't think of a thing for you to change. Wonderful end to a long, rewarding ironman season (running with my son past the place where I was born!). Thanks so much!

Street Reaper · Post by **Street Reaper** » Sat Nov 20, 2010 6:32 pm

I must agree w/ dad. It's a great way to end the GP season, especially w/ an Iron! Hadnt done Spa before but it's been on my list for a while. Glad I did it! Only suggestion -- more coffee at the end of the run if there is no sun.

And, again Joshua, congrats to the little one! Very impressive.

stealthycat · Post by **stealthycat** » Sun Nov 21, 2010 9:20 am

I love this race as it was my first 10K about 8 years ago or thereabouts. I think I ran 54:00.

The only thing that I would add would perhaps be indoor awards and some coffee. :) Other than that, I love it. :)

Post by **kimhoward** » Sun Nov 21, 2010 10:15 am

Yes, indoor awards would be nice. Wish you could use the Convention Center for that as well

DFLRunner · Post by **DFLRunner** » Tue Nov 23, 2010 9:47 am

I had never run the Spa 10K before Saturday. Several reasons why including (1) I don't like hills and (2) I'm sure there are others but, mainly, see (1).

Why didn't I do this race years before?

The course was great! And the mountain? What mountain?!

I was only there immediately before the race and stayed only briefly after the race so I can't comment on the post-race festivities, but I thought it was one of, if not the best, the better Grand Prix races.

There was only one issue which was of concern and it had nothing to do with the course or the race organization itself. The issue was concerning an inattentive driver nearly taking out a runner. I heard about this after the race so I don't know the details but it apparently happened. Perhaps others can fill in the details about that incident.

jmassingill · Post by **jmassingill** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 7:39 pm

Make it three votes for coffee and inside awards!!! If we can't go inside, then at least have coffee. Wonderful race... we love it.

As far as DFLRUNNER's comment on the driver that nearly plowed down a runner... unless there was more than one, it was Frank that nearly bit the dust. According to his recollection, he was headed thru an intersection and he caught a glimpse of something to his right, he looked and a car was coming right thru the intersection. Apparently, that is about the time the car saw him and slammed on its breaks. Frank put on his running breaks and sucked in his tummy and the car came to a stop right in front of him. All he would have had to do was fall forward and he would have been on the hood of the car. The police office turned and yelled to the driver "what do you think you are doing?" The driver's response... "I was in a hurry". I personally feel the officer should have given the driver some sort of citation or at the very least detained the driver for questioning so that she would really be late to what ever she was hurrying to. There is not excuse for that sort of irresponsibility. If she had hit Frank or any other runner it would have changed lives forever, her's included. Thanks for listening.

sidewinder · Post by **sidewinder** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 7:44 pm

Hahh a terrorist attack on Frank for all those lovely pictures you take....hhhhmmmm who did you leave out???

DFLRunner · Post by **DFLRunner** » Thu Nov 25, 2010 10:27 am

jmassingill wrote:Make it three votes for coffee and inside awards!!! If we can't go inside, then at least have coffee. Wonderful race... we love it.

As far as DFLRUNNER's comment on the driver that nearly plowed down a runner... unless there was more than one, it was Frank that nearly bit the dust. According to his recollection, he was headed thru an intersection and he caught a glimpse of something to his right, he looked and a car was coming right thru the intersection. Apparently, that is about the time the car saw him and slammed on its breaks. Frank put on his running breaks and sucked in his tummy and the car came to a stop right in front of him. All he would have had to do was fall forward and he would have been on the hood of the car. The police office turned and yelled to the driver "what do you think you are doing?" The driver's response... "I was in a hurry". I personally feel the officer should have given the driver some sort of citation or at the very least detained the driver for questioning so that she would really be late to what ever she was hurrying to. There is not excuse for that sort of irresponsibility. If she had hit Frank or any other runner it would have changed lives forever, her's included. Thanks for listening.

I heard Frank talking about the incident but didn't know the full details. Thanks for clarifying what happened! Glad nobody was injured but I think the officer should have clamped down on that driver for sure!

Thanks, Judy!

captkirk · Post by **captkirk** » Thu Nov 25, 2010 7:59 pm

My first time for the Spa and I thought it was done well. The course is great, good to have timers almost every mile. It was cool enough that I didn't really need water. Only problem was the 5K walkers towards the finish. I don't have a solution to that. If you started the 5K earlier they would be a problem near the start. If you start them later it might be worse. I don't think the awards outside was a particular problem. If it was raining, I suspect nobody would be there. Colder would likely be a problem as well. Some sheltered area would be more ideal.

I haven't done this race since it is usualy on the opening day of duck season. I hope to do it again in the future, as it is a good race. It is a great way to end the Grand Prix.

The Pink Panther · Post by **The Pink Panther** » Sat Nov 27, 2010 4:11 pm

This too was my first Spa race! I had heard horror stories about how tough the course was and the course didn't disappoint. The first hill got me more than the second but I made up time on the back side. I would have a different strategy now that I'm no longer a Spa 10k Virgin

First of all....GREAT MEDAL! I'm so glad I got one for 3rd place in my age group! I was also impressed with the way the course was marked even though it did have a lot of twists and turns in the beginning. The timers along the course helped too since my watch stopped working in this race. The volunteers for this race were plentiful and the water stops were fine. Race results were up lickety split but I waited around a little too long to find the after food and it was almost all gone. Having access to real WARM bathrooms in the convention center was SUPER nice!

So was there anything bad? Well I was freezing to death at the awards but who could leave with such GREAT door prizes? I mean you gave away a 2 day stay hotel package that was awesome and you had that cute little stage setup with our friendly photographer capturing all the victories (Thanks Frank)!

The only negative for me and I mean THE ONLY one was:
I finished with literally twenty women walkers who took up the whole road at the finish line. A runner doesn't want to be pushy or hurt anyone they just want to finish FAST. I didn't want to hurt anyone but I also didn't want to finish slow so I was moving through them pretty fast and saying "runner coming through".

So what's solution to keeping it fun for walkers who are walking for a good cause and who deserve to be a part of the race yet keeping it feasible for Grand Prix runners to run barrier free??

I would suggest a note on the website and registration form about walking etiquette in the final mile zone followed by a verbal pre-race announcement which could be something like, "attention all walkers.....during the final mile please walk to the right side of the course so as to keep a clear path for runners. We appreciate your assistance regarding your safety and the safety of the runners. We want to keep everyone safe and happy in this great race!" Then perhaps have some volunteers at the last mile zone reminding walkers to move to the right side of the course until the finish. That should help free up the course.

Great way to finish a season! Thanks Spa Pacers!