Festival of running - Is it a possible way forward?

ecoli

Just a bit of a thought in my head but its a follow on from previous threads regarding the state of athletics and the correlation between road running and athletics kinda been trying to work out is there a possibility to have a cross over style event?

Basic format I am thinking

• early morning Road race
• post race BBQ (Music and festival atmosphere)
• possible kids event during or straight after the road race (to make it family orientated)
• minimal high quality track and field meeting with tight schedule to keep attention of the spectators (no long distance races middle distance and sprints/field events only)
• Spectator friendly identifiable events (200m, 1 mile race, 4x400m/800m or distance medley relay)
• Spectator participation competitions between events to keep attention of spectators (stuff like throw more than 10m in javelin and win a prize)

Basically this takes pressure off the road race results compilation as if the people are distracted they are less likely to complain about the time taken to get results. You can also hold the track/road race presentations at the same time linking the two in another way

Obviously would be a big project to take on but by offering some of the generated revenue from the RR to fund track race prize funds you could encourage higher quality fields as well linking the high participation level of road racing to track and field events

The whole aim would be to target the fans through entertainment value as well as involving them in the experience.

I am sure there are probably flaws in this idea but just having bit of a brainstorm on whether it could be a way of linking the two

rom

ecoli wrote: »

Just a bit of a thought in my head but its a follow on from previous threads regarding the state of athletics and the correlation between road running and athletics kinda been trying to work out is there a possibility to have a cross over style event?

Basic format I am thinking

• early morning Road race
• post race BBQ (Music and festival atmosphere)
• possible kids event during or straight after the road race (to make it family orientated)
• minimal high quality track and field meeting with tight schedule to keep attention of the spectators (no long distance races middle distance and sprints/field events only)
• Spectator friendly identifiable events (200m, 1 mile race, 4x400m/800m or distance medley relay)
• Spectator participation competitions between events to keep attention of spectators (stuff like throw more than 10m in javelin and win a prize)

Basically this takes pressure off the road race results compilation as if the people are distracted they are less likely to complain about the time taken to get results. You can also hold the track/road race presentations at the same time linking the two in another way

Obviously would be a big project to take on but by offering some of the generated revenue from the RR to fund track race prize funds you could encourage higher quality fields as well linking the high participation level of road racing to track and field events

The whole aim would be to target the fans through entertainment value as well as involving them in the experience.

I am sure there are probably flaws in this idea but just having bit of a brainstorm on whether it could be a way of linking the two

After being in a race and getting all sweaty I want to eat something and then go home. Waiting around in the cold doesn't really work. I think a kids race at the same time is a great idea. Also the logistics of minding children for parents running does not work. Someone needs not to run. or Something like womens races, kids race a nice break and then the men's race or something like that with good shower facilities would mean that everyone can run and support. For a family where both parents want to run it doesn't work. I like the idea though. What i would to do is a running holiday where I could run but my wife could cycle to get from A to B with my daughter. I think you can do swimming ones where you can swim from island to island in Greece. I think there are so many nice trails in Ireland that this could be possible.

tunney

ecoli wrote: »

Just a bit of a thought in my head but its a follow on from previous threads regarding the state of athletics and the correlation between road running and athletics kinda been trying to work out is there a possibility to have a cross over style event?

Basic format I am thinking

• early morning Road race
• post race BBQ (Music and festival atmosphere)
• possible kids event during or straight after the road race (to make it family orientated)
• minimal high quality track and field meeting with tight schedule to keep attention of the spectators (no long distance races middle distance and sprints/field events only)
• Spectator friendly identifiable events (200m, 1 mile race, 4x400m/800m or distance medley relay)
• Spectator participation competitions between events to keep attention of spectators (stuff like throw more than 10m in javelin and win a prize)

Basically this takes pressure off the road race results compilation as if the people are distracted they are less likely to complain about the time taken to get results. You can also hold the track/road race presentations at the same time linking the two in another way

Obviously would be a big project to take on but by offering some of the generated revenue from the RR to fund track race prize funds you could encourage higher quality fields as well linking the high participation level of road racing to track and field events

The whole aim would be to target the fans through entertainment value as well as involving them in the experience.

I am sure there are probably flaws in this idea but just having bit of a brainstorm on whether it could be a way of linking the two

The sad unfortunate truth that affects athletics and triathlon (but not cycling) would stop this. The majority of participants do not care for the sport or the elites in it. They just want to say they did "X,Y,Z distance in hh:mm:ss time. People would just not care for the track and field events.

dna_leri

Hurdle events would be good to include also, as long as someone could count to 10. :rolleyes:

It does sound a bit like the events organised in Manchester and Newcastle alongside the Great Run events. The idea is good but even last weekend in Manchester did not look like it was jam packed, even with the big names they can attract. I think most events would struggle to get big names, I don't think top elites take it all that seriously and would see it as a distraction, unless it was financially rewarding. Without the big names, I don't think you get any sort of crowd.

Maybe a starting point would be to combine a mass participation event with an existing T&F event like Cork City or Morton Mile etc. You might get some level of cross-over there.