Track and Field Athletics

CMC100

Having taken part in a number of road races over the last year in Cork, I was asked by one of the club coaches to have a go at a few track events. i was surprised by how few people are competing on the track at Senior level given that the road race scene continues to attract large crowds. Is this something that is reflected around the country?

RoyMcC

Around the country and around the world. You rarely see a non-competitive runner on the track. There's no hiding place on the track, whereas in the average road race you can usually find a little group to run with, or plod away towards the back somewhere. Your limitations would be soon exposed in, say, a 5000m when your average roadie would soon be off the back and looking over his shoulder at the leaders gaining. Not much fun.

ecoli

RoyMcC wrote: »

Around the country and around the world. You rarely see a non-competitive runner on the track. There's no hiding place on the track, whereas in the average road race you can usually find a little group to run with, or plod away towards the back somewhere. Your limitations would be soon exposed in, say, a 5000m when your average roadie would soon be off the back and looking over his shoulder at the leaders gaining. Not much fun.

This is an issue definitely and one I attempted to address this year sending mails such as below to prominent track race series organizers over the last year even trying to highlight topics which would appeal to an RD (PR and money in the pocket) however despite replies to me saying it would be looked into it was ignored

First of all I just want to congratulate you on the job that has been done with the series and it has been a great success (I myself can attribute 6 or 7 Personal Bests over the last few years to these races). I was just thinking one way in which you could generate more of an interest in these races regarding attendance and exposure would be to include “beginners to track races”. These would be like the Development races one could be conducted every second or third meeting (one specific race distance) which would be open to beginners to the sport much like Fit4Life groups which have proved to be a great success.



With the great increase in race numbers in Road races and commercial races over the last few years I feel that this is an avenue in which Athletics could bridge a gap in order to increase attendance. Recreational running has seen a boom in recent times and participation in these are at an all time high seeing most local first time races having regularly attracted hundreds of runners surely the athletics scene could see this as a perfect market of which to capitalize on. I am in close contact with a constant stream of people picking up road running in later life who wish to run 5ks and so on but rather than joining athletics clubs and get proper guidance, they view track running as “only for the elites” and so opted to pay extortionate prices to participate in commercial races. Have made attempts to try and convince some of these people into trying the club avenue and track running but when discussing it was brought to my attention that there are very few races for complete novices which turns them off the idea of aiming for track races. I understand that this is not a primary target of the series and that the development of the standards of athletics is first and foremost but I feel that there could be knock on affects which can have a lot of benefits such as:



*Higher participation which also creates more revenue through entry fees

*Higher attendance at the meetings through the novice runners and people coming to supporting them (which I have found that people running their first race tend to bring nearly a full cheering section at times)

*Extra revenue could be then used to increase prize funds in development races enticing more top quality runners to participate rather than travelling abroad for races such as the (Insert Race Series) races and other foreign races

*Give (Insert Organisation) good PR exposure and generate more interest in the (insert Area) athletics scene among more of the general public which could have a knock on effect on attendances at Championship races in a spectator role


I thank you for your time and if I am able to come up with any other ideas which I feel could be advantageous to (Insert Organisation) and Irish Athletics in general I will be sure to pass them on

CMC100

I just want to add 2 points to this issue;

1. it can't be much fun for the faster guys on the track to be competing in races with such a small turnout, so there is absolutely a need for novice runners on the track. A large turnout adds to the atmosphere of any race so i think it should come from clubs to promote these kind of events.

2. Having run every distance up to 10 miles, I can safely say that the hardest event I have done is the 400m. I have never experienced such a sudden loss of leg strength than in the last 100m of a 400m race. A completely different kind of running to long distance.

PVincent

The AAI are missing a huge opputunuty to entice people into the great sport of running . Yes they have the Family Fun Fitness Day which is fine, but there has to be a market at every Track in the country for 'an All inclusive Athletic Open Day' where people can come along and try out the 100metres , The mile , 400 metres , Hurdles, High Jump, Long Jump, Discus etc etc ..I would imagine that Local clubs would be only too willing to provide some expertise on the day if it firstly demystified Athletic Clubs,and secondly enticed people to join their local club. God knows what talent may be unearthed never mind getting more people into the sport.

If anyone fancies a Mile on the Track next week , come along to the AViva Charity Mile for Focus Ireland in Irishtown next wednesday €10 all to Charity. There is also a 4 x 400 metre relay for fun on the night.

RoyMcC

PV I think you're spot on. I've proposed before (for example) holding an evening meet for local soccer clubs in their pre-season. They'd put out their top fast men, MD men, throwers, jumpers in an inter-club competition - in club colours. I think it would be great craic but all I get are odd looks when I mention it.

Generally athletics clubs are afraid to go beyond their tried and trusted formulae and don't think laterally in trying to grow the sport.