May 30, 2010 A few simple steps to make your time easier at a road race The race season is well underway; and most runners can find a race in the nearby area on almost every weekend. The process begins by arriving at the race site, filling out an entry form, paying the entry fee, getting the T-shirt and then waiting for the starter’s gun to start the race. An article from the Tennessee River Athletic Club takes this a step further. Their take is what happens to that entry form that you just filled out, and how it is used to make sure the race goes according to plan. Here in San Marcos, two individuals are at every race, and in most cases are in charge of registration and making sure that the results are accurate. David and Linda Alexander are very instrumental in race organizing; and it is nice to know that when Linda is in charge of registration, things will go well. As the race finishes and the results are produced, David and Linda work as a team to make sure everyone gets their proper place at the finish line. The problems arise when the runner doesn’t do their part in filling out that registration form. While you might be just one runner, Linda often has to deal with over 100 runners and registration forms before the race begins. Little things like not printing the name clearly or not including your age, sex or T-shirt size on the entry form slow the process down. The article really emphasizes the importance of pre-registering when at all possible. Race organizers use pre-race registration to estimate the number of runners that will show up for the race, and use that estimate to order T-shirts. When a runner registers on the day of the race and their T-shirt size is all gone, the choice is between too small or too big from what is left, and they are disappointed. But they have to understand that pre-registering would have prevented that from happening. I talked to a runner this week that entered a race recently and had pre-registered, and just walked up and picked up his packet and was ready to go. The line for those registering was “a block long,” and registration workers were pushed into overtime to handle the crowd. The long line resulted in delaying the start of the race by almost 30 minutes while latecomers tried to register. The point being made was that, if you are going to register on the day of the race, arrive early. The article listed several tips for helping out with the registration process at the race. Number one was to pre-register for the race, and often you will pay a cheaper entry fee for your efforts. Write clearly, and, if possible, print your name. List your name and not some nickname. Do not abbreviate things like the hometown, last name or even the state if you are not from Texas. Mark your gender. In most cases, your first name can determine whether you are a male or female. But some names like Lee, Jackie, Lynn and Gene (Jean) can be both. It helps to list your birth date as well as your age on the entry form. There have been times when the birth date is listed as the race date. A correct birth date also helps if a chip time or computer is used to tabulate the results, as the program will place the runner in the correct age category. If you pre-register, include your telephone number or contact information in case there is a question on your entry form that needs to be answered or corrected. At the end of the form is a place for your signature that is a release or waiver form. If you do not agree to the waiver and don’t want to sign the form, then the article suggests that you do not even show up. Race organizers are under no obligation to allow you to participate in the event if you do not sign the form. If there is a kid’s race along with the main race, have an adult fill out the form and sign it. Some kids’ writing is very difficult to decipher. If more than one member of the family is entering, use a separate form for each runner, and do not list several on one form. It seems like a small step, but it is a very important step for race organizers; and everything a runner can do to make their job easier will be very much appreciated. Dr. Maurice Johnson - better known around San Marcos as “Moe” - is a professor in the Department of Health, P.E., Recreation and Dance at Texas State University - San Marcos. Moe has been a fixture in the San Marcos running community - both as a runner and race organizer - since way back when Moby Dick was a minnow. His column on running and fitness appears each Sunday in the Sports section of the San Marcos Daily Record. • Recent “Running With Moe” Columns • Home • About the Club • Current News • Club Runs • Places To Run • TX Running Clubs • Running Links • Useful Stuff Upcoming Races • Race Results • Country Roads 10K & Kids Run • ARA-Moe’s Better Half Marathon • “Running With Moe” Contact Us!