www.ArkansasRRCA.com

Great race Saturday and the weather has been perfect last three years but not exactly what I would expect from a "championship" race. No chip timing, late start, a line for water after the race, awards only 3 deep, etc. The do have some of the best shirts year after year and tech shirts in kids sizes are quite rare.

As the race gets larger something needs to be done about the slower runners having to dodge traffic while trying to run the last mile of the race. The park needs to be closed until after the race to all traffic coming and going. How rude is it to finish a race and then drive through other finishers to leave so quickly. There were way too many cars both coming and going.

I concur. I had to dodge some geniuses that drove right through us. Can't wait 30 minutes to leave? My only other gripe is that the water was completely gone when I finished. And that was at a 9 minute pace. So there were a lot of others that did without water as well. Love the race though.

Valid comments, but some people do have to work even on Saturdays. I made sure I drove really slow and on the opposite side from where the runners where. I did not run really fast, but did hang around for a while at the finish, but still had to get to work. Sorry, if I have offended anyone Saturday or today by posting this.

Hey, just my 2-cents worth as a chip timer. I have ran this race a lot of times, been there and have the t-shirt(s). Gary Ballard has timed this race for a long time and I think he does a great job. Very professional, very accurate. This race does not have to be chip timed.

Let me begin by saying YES it was a nice shirt but......

As someone who loves the trinkets and the bling earned at races, I have to say I was getting pretty disappointed as I heard the awards being called out 3 deep. I hung around like a lost puppy to ask if I was in the 5 deep since I knew the GP would recognize those with points.

After a while, I asked the ladies who were volunteering and handing out the awards why he wasn't going 5 deep since it was a GP championship race. They argued that it wasn't a GP champ race and that was why. Then when I challenged them, they went to ask Bill who said it was a champ. race.

In the end, after maybe only 40-50 people remained, he said if you think you were 4th or 5th in your age division, then come ask me and I'll check and then you can have an award because we have some left. Now, ok I was 5th. It wasn't my best race by any means but hey I deserved to have my name called out just like every 5th runner.

For some, being 5th might be the ONLY time their name is called and that small acknowledgement might be the difference in them continuing to strive for a better race next time or just givin up on the GP. And I find that a lot more people register for the championship races because they are hopeful for an award. So if races are benefitting from increased registrations, then runners should at least receive the minimum that the GP says is required for championship races as listed below:

The GP rules say: In state championship races, awards should be 5 deep in age divisions 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49 for women and 5 deep for these same divisions plus 50-54 and 55-59 for men. All other awards are the same.

In addition the GP rules say: All the overall and age group winners' names, times, and places of finish, as well as the number of finishers in the race should be announced at the awards ceremony. The people who stay for the awards ceremony are the ones who want to hear names, times, and places. Awards can be medals, ribbons, trophies, plaques, or any type running mementoes, but should always have the name of the race, date and distance.
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This was my first CCC and I look forward to doing better next year!

Pink Panther

I do appreciate comments that will help the race be better. Let me address some of the issues.

Traffic is a problem for park because there is only one way in and out and I can't tell people when to stay or leave. The park is not big enough and the race is too large to have the runners run totally in the park which might help in letting traffic out. It is still one of the better locations for having an event.

As for the late start, if people know me that is one of my goals to start on time. We brought in the Trolley Bus to help people get to registration faster but even though it didn't work as well as I hope I would do it again and make some changes. Next year I will post that we start at 8 and you better be there early enough to get registered and get your number. Most of the runners don't know the history of this race but when it was a downtown event it was the largest 10K in the state, close to 3,000 runners. Sponsorship has become hard to come by when it cost $3,000+ for police. We had no choice but to go to a location that could have a run on a tight budget.

As for the awards that is totally my fault as I forgot as I was reading the awards. If someone did not get their award just let me know and we will get it to you. I do not agree that we were taking advantage of the runners because we were a Championship race and then not give out the awards. You have the option of voting another race the Championship race. I don't even vote for our race for it.

As for the water, that is a judgment call and it is evident we need more water.

Fore those that don't know me, I don't believe in being negative on these forums. Everyone that has an issue just bring it to me and I will correct it. My phone number is 501-231-3730 and always available to any runner to discuss problems or just running. If you have a problem with something I am doing bring it to me direct.

Every Race Director wants to have a great race and I am still looking for the perfect race where everything goes correctly. It appears everyone that wrote on this topic would come back. So we will try and do a better job next year.

Amen, Bill. If people have problems, then e-mail the RD. Constructive criticism is good, but some ppl have never helped put on a race, then b*%$h when things go wrong. Hey,,even I ain't perfect

Ouch !! I will try not to complain so much ! I didn't know Bill was so sensitive.

Seriously, I do appreciate all the effort that goes into putting on a race and then having to deal with knuckle-heads like me who complain. I will try to do better.

AS a small time RACE DIR. {RD} is now referred to as I too am looking to put on the perffect race. .But the facts or facts I will never put on the perffect RACE because I am not perffect. SO we do the BEST WE CAN AND HOPE FOR THE BEST. AND to reach the goal we will say WE WILL DO BETTER NEXT YEAR!!! I could be wrong DMAC but BT. will not be offend he would not have done this for 20 years if he did not have fun WITH IT. and for the late start I didn't mind it . what is the difference waiting for someone to get REG. VS WAITING FOR SOMEONE in line for the out house sorta speaking. GOOD JOB BILL and LR RUNNERS

I do enjoy being the RD and I will try to improve each year. Kim, I heard the ladies at Hooters think your perfect. DHMac you would complain even if it was perfect and I hate that you are getting a free rain in the age group. As long as I have seen races in the GP each one has had their issues over the years. We have a great group of RD's that have made our GP one of the best in the country.

Bill Torrey wrote:. Kim, I heard the ladies at Hooters think your perfect. .

That is true!!