Organising a "private" marathon

The Hammer

I am posting this message to look for advice/guidance/tips on organising a "private" marathon. I am an experienced marathon runner - > 40 marathons completed. I have a pretty good, quiet rural, marathon course which takes in my locality. Would really like to run it as an actual marathon. this is not for profit, its just to be able to run a marathon in my locality.

I have a wide range of marathon friends and could instantly drum up at least 30 people willing to run in this marathon - I haven't told them yet - those people are, also themselves, experienced marathon runners.

So the summary of questions is:

1. How does one go about organising such a thing - is there a legal requirement for waivers, gardai assistance, etc.
2. How does one go about getting this certified as an "official" marathon - who measures the course?

Any thoughts or experiences would be very welcome. You can PM me or post to this thread.

I will keep a few slots open for Boards AC runners if I get this up and running

a_non_a_mouse

you could talk to your local athletic club or your local county board.
if you want an AAI permit, you will have to go through one of those.

They should also be able to help you with measuring and some other logistics.

RacoonQueen

I don't think you need a permit for a private race. You need it to be measured properly for it to be counted as a marathon for the 100 marathon club etc.

RoyMcC

Like RC says. You need to be pretty careful here. If it remains a private affair i.e. by invitation to friends etc. then it need only be in the nature of a training run, albeit timed and measured.

The minute you start inviting entries it's in danger of becoming a public event and you need above all else to get your insurance cover in place. This in turn means risk assessments and all that this entails. Personally I'd ever only do this under the auspices of an established club who could put all the proper things in place. There are a number of RDs on here and they will give you a list of requirements to make your eyes water.

Depends which way you want to go really.

liamo123

Are Boardies going 2 b invited !!!!!!!

Magnet

Why have it private? Just curious really...Ive done a few "no frills" marathons and I loved the atmosphere of the smaller group. As long as its measured correctly, timed and there`s some water, what more do you want?
Afaik you have to have 5 finishers to have it count when it comes to the 100 Marathon Club

Condo131

One of the 'Nutcases' in our club (a regular on Boards) suggested the same thing, several weeks back.

My first reaction was :eek::(:rolleyes:. What he's suggested was a confined members, plus invitees, race over quiet roads and a short loop of 4 or 5 miles. Water/gel/whatever station to be out of the boot of a car. Costs minimised: Gels & sportsdrinks provided by the runners themselves.

The major costs for such an event would be race permit and medical cover - ambulance. Even with a limited entry, I wouldn't like to organise a marathon without some medical cover (in addition to the Club's defibrillator). Overall costs, running an absolutely minimal event, would probably cost around €600 - estimating 1 ambulance and crew costing about €400 for approx. 4 hours.

No doubt the matter will come up at our AGM, in a few weeks.

RoyMcC

Condo, presumably this would be under the club's auspices and would have the benefits of insurance cover etc. It's another thing doing it off one's own bat.

Condo131

RoyMcC wrote: »

Condo, presumably this would be under the club's auspices and would have the benefits of insurance cover etc. It's another thing doing it off one's own bat.

Definitely under the Club's auspices. The insurance cover comes automatically with the AAI race permit.

I wouldn't even consider running the smallest event "off one's own bat" - the implications of a claim are horrific - the organisers would be personally liable. No matter how well you plan, things go wrong, so you need to anticipate problems as far as possible, but you absolutely need insurance cover.

sideswipe

What about a 'Flash Marathon' like a 'Flash Mob'? I read something about one in America online a couple of months back, can't find a link now though. No insurance issue there??

THIS might be a nice route!!!

The Shankhill to Tallaght Marathon!

Wally Runs

Try a predictor marathon. One where not only is there a prize for the overall winner but one for the person who came in closest to their predicted time.

Runners would not be allowed any timing devices, watches, gps, i-pods, pace makers etc. or to ask on the course. That way everybody has a chance to win. How do you think you would run without any or few references? Would you do better or worse? I have seen it done over 5km events but not longer.

BJohnson

Magnet wrote: »

Why have it private? Just curious really...Ive done a few "no frills" marathons and I loved the atmosphere of the smaller group. As long as its measured correctly, timed and there`s some water, what more do you want?
Afaik you have to have 5 finishers to have it count when it comes to the 100 Marathon Club

Agreed, the no frills races are some of my most memorable! As far as being counted as an official race for the 100 Marathon Club or Boston qualifier, one race director told me that you need:

1. at least 5 people to start and at least 3 people to finish the race
2. an officially measured course with a Jones counter
3. results need to be published publicly (e.g. on a website)

...and I think one or two more things, but can't remember what they are.

Condo131

BJohnson wrote: »

As far as being counted as an official race for ....... Boston qualifier........

Needs to be AIMS registered AND certified to AIMS standards (i.e. measured by, at least, an IAAF grade B measurer)

BJohnson wrote: »

3. results need to be published publicly (e.g. on a website)

Definitely! ...and in full!! Too many of these newer marathons are producing sub-standard results - no clubs, age categories, sex etc.

2 Wheels Good

Maybe open up a few registrations to cover cost? (I'm thinking Cartmanland from South Park here )

The Hammer

Thank you all very much for your input on this subject. To answer the question that Magnet asked, why the private race?
Where I live is Quite rural and there will never be a marathon in this area.
so its not been snobby wanting a "private" marathon its just the most hassle free way of organising something that can pass my locality, basically i would like to organise as RoyMcC said" a training run, albeit timed and measured" (over 26.2 miles).

Thanks for them few points on what is needed ill try and find out the other ones, if i do ill post them there.

Im not looking for a Boston Qualifier course, The only thing i would like/need is for it to be recognised by the 100 marathon club, i think ill mail them tomorrow and ask what the criteria is?

So much to think about, god imagine actually been a RD. some headache. :eek:

eliwallach

Condo131 wrote: »

One of the 'Nutcases' in our club (a regular on Boards) suggested the same thing, several weeks back.

My first reaction was :eek::(:rolleyes:. What he's suggested was a confined members, plus invitees, race over quiet roads and a short loop of 4 or 5 miles.
No doubt the matter will come up at our AGM, in a few weeks.

Colblimp?

PS - if it goes ahead I want an invitation!

Condo131

eliwallach wrote: »

Colblimp?

PS - if it goes ahead I want an invitation!

Nope!.........a blogger!
...ask him for the invite....I propose him for chief cook, bottle washer...etc :rolleyes:

Magnet

The Hammer wrote: »

Thanks for them few points on what is needed ill try and find out the other ones, if i do ill post them there.

Im not looking for a Boston Qualifier course, The only thing i would like/need is for it to be recognised by the 100 marathon club, i think ill mail them tomorrow and ask what the criteria is?

From the 100 Marathon Club website...http://www.100marathonclub.org.uk/

Only races should be included. Training runs should not be included, whatever the distance run. Distance runs of a "non-competitive" nature, often undertaken for charitable purposes by one or two runners, should not be included. Runs of marathon distance or more in counties with no such races should not be included.
Race definition :- An official event open to all applicants (occasionally subject to entry limits or qualification restrictions), advertised beforehand in running press, on the web, by leaflets at other races or some similar manner. Normally, but not always, competitive. Normally at least 3 participants. Results available.
The runner must have completed the whole race and have run (jogged, walked) the whole course (unless misdirected by the organisers) for the race to count. For example, dropping out at the marathon distance in an ultra race can not be counted for the Challenges unless this was advertised beforehand as part of the race rules. The declared race distance counts (the runner is not penalised if the race distance appears to be short).
Marathons :- Races where the distance measured and stated by organisers is 26m 385y (26.2 miles) / 42.195 km (42.2 kilometres) on the road or, for trail marathons, accepting that exact measurement is not possible, approximated i.e. 26m or 42km. Races less than marathon distance should not be included e.g. 25m or 40km.
Ultra Marathons :- Road or trail races of distance longer than marathon.
Stage Races :- Races over several days with a set distance each day. One of the stages must be of marathon distance or longer for the race to count. A stage race counts as one event unless two or more stages are of marathon distance or longer, each of those stages can be entered separately, and separate stage results are published.
Where a race runs through more than one county, only the county through which most of the race is run should be counted. Where this is not clear the runner may choose one only of the start or finish point county.
The same race may not be counted twice eg same course different name, same name slight change of course.
Races which no longer exist may be counted.
In the case of a dispute the decision of the Club committee is final

TFBubendorfer

The Hammer wrote: »

Where I live is quite rural and there will never be a marathon in this area.

That's not a particularly good argument. Have you ever been to the Connemara or Dingle marathons?

The Hammer

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

That's not a particularly good argument. Have you ever been to the Connemara or Dingle marathons?

That is a very true statement TFBubendorfer. Maybe i should really rephrase it, i dont want to organise a "proper" marathon like the above races, I just want to cover the requirements for 100 marathon club and over measured distance in my area.

hot to trot

Thanks for posting and good luck with it. I have a load of 26M training runs to do and its almost a waste for none of them to count for entry to the 100 marathon club. Until Clonakilty , there was virtually none on for 6 months and it does get very expensive to have to go abroad for events all the time.
I for one would welcome these no frills , small field marathons , where you could do them as training runs and it wouldnt matter whether it was running around the block or a short circuit or a gallop across miles of country roads.
Post back again , when you get the low down on what the essentials are .
Thanks