There is a first for everything...
I ran in the snow...
Not just snow on the ground but an actual snowfall that continued through most of the race...
Temps in Columbia SC were actually high 30's and low 40's causing the snow to melt quickly but nonetheless, 260 dedicated athletes showed up to run the final race of the Palmetto Grand Prix series in South Carolina. This was a small event, locally organized and well managed. Medals were awarded to all winners of each age group category and the "Palmetto Grand Prix" patch was also given out to winners.
Course was not flat as described nor was it an out and back as described (which is what I was anticipating for this particular race). The track was very hilly and a complete circle (loop) through a residential area behind the START / FINISH line with no repeated sections along the course and very few volunteers.
Race Directors realized that weather conditions may cause a cancellation, delay or reschedule for this event and did not send out any information relative to this possibility. Runners had to reach out to possible contacts or other known members of the local group to discover if in fact the race would run as scheduled.
Local Police made the decision at 1:30 pm (race start was 3:00 pm as scheduled). Participants driving in from non-local areas should have been given a courtesy email or phone call with contact information in advance of race day. M.C. for this event made several "jokes" regarding a similar situation that happened at Myrtle Beach earlier this year (snide remarks regarding the cancellation which took place at last minute) and while the Palmetto group was allowed to continue, their efforts were no better than Myrtle Beach in regards to notifying the public. The comments were inappropriate, all things considered.
This group (sponsored by Strictly Running) also does a very 'economical' version of race shirts, or at least they did for this race. All shirts were technical tees, all had identical logos which promoted Strictly Running on the front side and "See ya!" on the back. The shirts varied from short sleeve, long sleeve, male, female, and every color under the sun. Participants that picked up goody bags before race day were allowed to pick their own shirts from boxes of available sizes. Those picking up packets on race day, were given the listed gender/size shirt in whatever color available.
No vendors were listed on the shirts and no specific race logo other than the timing company, "Strictly Running". While this is positive in that it's a technical tee without multiple sponsors, it's negative in that it does not commemorate the particular event. Anyone who had just run his or her first race would not have the usual "I got the t-shirt" experience. It's a minor issue but it's out of sync with the majority of race events.
I delayed writing this post as I honestly could go either way in my view of this race. I would not register for another race in the Palmetto Series for reasons listed above but at the same time I would not discourage someone else. The race overall is slightly below average and gives me a renewed appreciation for Run For Your Life and Event Marketing Services (www.runforyourlife.com) and all that they do for the Charlotte NC running community. I think my disappointment lies more in the fact that I've lived in a large city most of my life and much of the amenities available are taken for granted.
This was perhaps a timely experience for me and a reminder that there are privileges to living in either environment - city or rural - there were no strangers in that running group and lots of family present. Race directors searched out young people whose results were impacted by lost chips or incomplete applications and appropriate awards were presented same day during the ceremony. That is truly going the extra mile and very much a rarity in a larger network.
Sincere wishes to the Palmetto Grand Prix group's success in 2011.
CHIPTIME: 45:47
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