How can I get my race into the Grand Prix?

[dmeroney]

How can I get my race into the Grand Prix?

I often am asked by race directors around the state how their race can be included in the Grand Prix. The Arkansas Grand Prix has been continuously running for 32 years and is bigger and stronger than ever. There are many great races in the Series and clearly people want their race to be part of the Grand Prix. Being a Grand Prix race means both prestige and it will bump up the number of registrations as those competing in the Grand Prix will attend as many GP races as possible. Some runners even complete the Iron Man (Woman or Kid) by finishing all 20 of the Grand Prix races in a year. But that number of races is set which means there are many races that want to be in the Grand Prix but cannot.

I thought I'd write up this list of things to keep in mind concerning the Grand Prix race selection process. I hope this list will answer your questions and give you some insight into the how we pick races for the Grand Prix.

1. The purpose of the Grand Prix is to support the RRCA clubs around Arkansas by supporting their races. This means that going forward, Grand Prix races must be affiliated with and supported by a RRCA club.

There are two types of RRCA clubs:
a. Regular member clubs like the Conway Running Club or the Saline Country Striders
b. RRCA Event Clubs like the Hogeye Event Club or the Chile Pepper Event Club

If you have a race that is not currently supported by a RRCA club, you can form a RRCA Event Club in order to be considered for inclusion in the Grand Prix. Here's a link to all the details about doing this: http://www.rrca.org/membership/running-event

2. The Grand Prix schedule for a calendar year is decided in the September before that year. For next year's schedule, I will open bidding on September 1 and close bidding on September 15. The Long Distance Running Committee (LDRC) will evaluate the bids and we will announce the 2014 Grand Prix schedule by the end of September. The committee makeup: http://www.arkrrca.com/index.php?main=ldrc

Note: this is a little earlier than it has been in the past. I am moving up the bidding process to coincide with the national RRCA Regional and State Championship bidding which closes on September 30. I want to make our Grand Prix schedule and championships decisions and then submit for the national designation as state and regional championships.

3. A detailed explanation of what is required of races in the Grand Prix is listed at http://www.arkrrca.com/index.php?main=standards. Every race director should completely read through the Grand Prix Standards prior to submitting a bid to be in the Grand Prix.

4. Grand Prix races are required to use the current Arkansas Grand Prix logo on shirts and entry forms. This logo shows current sponsors of the Grand Prix which must be used regardless if your race has competing sponsors.

5. The race awards requirements are listed in the Grand Prix standards but it bears repeating. Go to http://www.arkrrca.com/index.php?main=s ... raceawards for the exact details. Grand Prix championship races require 5 deep awards in most of the age groups. This requirement adds to the cost of the race but championship races often have a bigger draw so it should not be a hardship.

6. In 2013, the Grand Prix is made up of 20 races of distances from 1 Mile to a Marathon (26.2) miles. Also, there are currently 10 state championship and 10 non-championship events. In 2013, here is the make-up of the Grand Prix
One 1 Mile
One 2 Mile
One One-hour track run
One 4 Mile
One 8k
One Cross Country 10k
One 15k
One 20k
One Marathon
Two Half Marathon
Four 10k
Five 5k

Many of the races that want to be in the Grand Prix are of the 5k variety. While that's a popular race distance, as you can see, we have plenty of 5k races currently in the Grand Prix. In fact, in the Grand Prix Composition section, the number of shorter races is specifically limited: http://www.arkrrca.com/index.php?main=s ... omposition. The 2013 Grand Prix has 8 races that are 4 miles or less which falls under the 50% maximum cap.

The point is that if you are submitting a 5k race not currently in the Grand Prix, it is unlikely to be added to the Series.

7. Many of the races in the Grand Prix have been a part of the Series for many years. This tradition is important to the Arkansas RRCA and we will continue to support these races that have supported the Grand Prix. As long as these races continue to bid to be included in the Grand Prix, they will likely be selected.

8. Location, location, location. While it is not the most important factor, we do consider the location of the race. Races are located in various parts all over the state but not every area is represented. There are zero races in Southeast Arkansas and the Northeast corner does not have a race in the Grand Prix. I would rather add a race from a location that does not currently have a Grand Prix race than to add one from a city that already has multiple races.

9. There is zero cost to bid for your race to be in the Grand Prix. But, if your race is selected, the fee is $50 which is payable in the first part of the year. I will send an invoice to the race director.

I hope this sheds some light on secrets of the Grand Prix. As always, you can email questions to me at staterep@arkrrca.com.

[dmeroney]

Just to follow up on the part about the location of races, here is a breakdown of locations of races in the 2013 Grand Prix

NW Arkansas (25% of GP races)
2 races in Fayetteville
1 race in Russellville
1 race in Danville
1 race in Fort Smith

Central Arkansas (50% of GP races)
3 races in Conway
3 races in North Little Rock
2 race in Little Rock
1 race in Benton
1 race in Cabot

SW Arkansas (15% of GP races)
1 race in Hot Springs
1 race in Hope
1 race in Texarkana

NE Arkansas (10% of GP races)
2 races in Batesville

SE Arkansas
0 races


Strictly from a geographical perspective, central Arkansas is way over-represented in the Grand Prix while SW Arkansas, NE Arkansas, and SE Arkansas are under-represented. NW Arkansas is just about right on.

I would really welcome bids from locations in the under-represented portions of the state.