The Race through a Race Director's Eyes

It's done...it's over......WAIT...that's how I started my 1/2 marathon recap.  This post isn't about me running, it's about 115 other people running....and my experience as race director!!!

It started out as a simple little idea.  The Timberlea Tundra Pounders (the local running group) were coming up to their one year anniversary.  The anniversary that has seen so many new friendships made and lifestyles changed.  What could we do to celebrate?  A banquet?  A BBQ?  Nope...it seemed that people wanted to run...funny idea, eh?  So it started out simple....just a run with the group of us....but then the idea grew.  And as I lay in bed at night, the wheels kept turning, and that idea grew into the BLT 5k Fun Run/Walk that was held yesterday morning in our own little community.  This post is about the day itself...but never fear....there will be a future post about what you need to do if you want to hold your own race!

The trail the runners would be using...beautiful

 Thursday Night - Heather and I pulled the kits together.  I had capped the race at 125 runners so the kit bags were manageable for my first race.  I had made personalized name tags with motivational quotes underneath.  The quotes were completely random but so many runners loved and related to the one's that appeared under their name.

IG Shot - Even after we double checked them - we missed one
runner's kit....no bib.  Sorry Ian!

Saturday morning was an early one.  Up at 5:30am to load the car (wish I had gotten a pic) and take everything to the race start....which was literally 2 minutes up the street. I had rented the local elementary school and it was open when I arrived so I could start to set up early.

Mom was put to work cutting bananas and oranges for the runners!

Race kit pickup was from 7:30 - 8:45 and seemed to go off error free....oh wait...nope...I totally forgot a kit for one runner.  She was very nice about it and mom quickly ran home and retrieved one for her.


On the right is Heather from Girl Goes Running and
back to is Heidi from IdleHide

I was so nervous for the race to start....mother nature decided to send us a heavy mist for about 20 minutes but luckily it cleared up before 'go time'.   Everyone said that the hard work was over...that the planning is the hard part...race day is easy.  HA!  Whatever.  LOL.


I love this image as it captures the rain drops on the medals!

 I called everyone to the start line with 5 minutes to go.  I said a little something and then handed it over to our local politician to start the race.

And they are off!

It was so quiet once the runners were on the course.  I knew I had about 18 minutes until the first runner would be making an appearance...and that time was time to breath.  It was basically over.  The hard work, the little things....all of it was done. Now to just enjoy everyone's accomplishments!!

Ian made it look easy.  We actually had to redo the
finishing photo as our photographer was grabbing inside pics.  LOL

I was so excited to see the runners finish...it was the BEST part.  For some, this was their first race ever...and when they crossed with smiles...oh my...I can't even describe how amazing it felt.

Just one of the many smiling faces that crossed the line!

I may, or may not, have hogged giving out the medals to people who crossed.  My voice was horse from screaming and cheering them in.  This pic might prove my excitement.  LOL

My feet are barely touching the ground.

I wish you could see all the candid shots that were taken yesterday morning.  The friendships, the smiles, the accomplishment.  It was worth the hard work to see and feel all of this.  People are already talking about next year....looks like it will be a tradition.

Just a few of the many TTP that ran yesterday.

I have to give a shout out to the volunteers....from set up to traffic control to kit pickup to tear down...a race cannot happen without the generous support that these folks give.  When I gave the call out for volunteers, I was overwhelmed with the response which is another reason I love the TTP group.   Another shout out goes to the local businesses in our community.  They supported the race with no questions asked and gave generously of their services for our race kits.    There are so many parts to putting a race together and having it be a success....thank you to everyone involved.    Around 10:30am, it was funny to look around the school yard as you would never have known a race had ever occurred...there was no sign of anything.  Poof and it was gone!

Oh...I almost forgot.  Our local political representative (known as an MLA here in Canada) passed a resolution in the House on behalf of the running group.  I think that's pretty darn cool!!

Now I need to finalize the expenses, send out thank you's, and make notes for next years run.  Phew...looks like the planning begins now....guess you can all call me Ms. Race Director.  LOL...Just kidding!!!

Have any of you ever put a race on...if so....what did you love or hate about the experience??