Macon, GA
Time: 52:58
Age Group: 2/2
Overall: 11/33
For awhile, it looked like the race would not happen. A week or two earlier the organizers had announced that the race was cancelled. The next day the race was suddenly back on. Only about 20 people had pre-registered which led to the initial cancellation. I was glad to see they were going to try the race anyway.
Being part of a series of triathlon events, some things were done very differently from other road races. We had the option of early packet pick-up the day before. I stopped down in early afternoon to avoid the crowd. There was no control on parking and the people who had arrived early were packed along the side of the narrow road that led to packet pick-up area. I watched a hug RV try to back all the way along the road having found out too late that there was no way to turn around. Not a good scene. I parked way back and walked to the packet tent. I received my race number but was told that the shirts for the 10K had not arrived yet. This was first of many incidents where things just were not quite right for the race. I expected that the 10K would be a bit of an afterthought with all of the other events going on. Apparently I was going to be proved right. The people working packet pick-up were very nice and set me up with a goody bag that I was encouraged to fill up with a large assortment of free samples. I took a walk through the small expo, checked back to see if the shirts were in (no), and made plans to arrive in time to stand in line again in the morning for my shirt. So much for early pick-up.
The convenience of having this race so close to my house was offset a bit by a race instruction that required the 10K runners to be on site before
Arriving at the park in the morning, I was pleased to see that the parking problem had been well-addressed. The huge number of vehicles were parked in the fields on one side of the property. This was done smoothly, safely, and in a very organized manner. I made the long walk to the packet tent to find it empty. I wandered aimlessly until I found another line to get into at the pavilion. It turned out to be the right place to get my shirt - after quite a wait. I was admittedly disappointed at the shirt - cheap cotton compared to the technical shirts being handed out to the other racers. I then had to find another tent in another part of the park to pick up my timing chip. The communication about the chip was bad indeed. I really had to ask to see if we needed them for the 10K. I was finally geared up with tons of time on my hands.
I watched the start of the triathlon events from a hill overlooking the lake. I have to say, the sight of so many people hitting the water at one time (even though they did the start in a series of waves) was impressive. I also enjoyed watching the athletes come out of the water and run barefoot up a hill to get to the transition area. I'll give this to tris - they are very interesting to watch.
I tried to warm up as race time approached but found it hard to find a decent place to do it. I finally gave up and satisfied myself with walking around the property. I hoped to find some sign of a 10K starting line. All I found were more 10K runners with the same questions I had. Finally the race director pointed out an unmarked spot of pavement near the pavilion. I waited there for the start of the race already nervous about the increasingly hot sun that was baking down.
Our race start was as informal as the tri start was exciting. There was actually some accidental excitement as many runners realized that they were supposed to have timing chips. The starter grudgingly held up the race a minute to allow several people to get back. The lack of communication had most of steaming by this point. We were told that we would have plenty of aid stations thanks to the tris. The course was to be an out and back with one turn in the middle. It had not been posted previously.
We were off and running, dodging through the triathletes also starting out on their running leg. We were a lot fresher being on our first (and only) event. That freshness didn't last long. The course was extremely hilly, very humid, and quite exposed to a searing sun. I was feeling distinctly unpleasant: too much painful running this week. I quickly adjusted my goal to finishing under 55 minutes (instead of under 50 minutes.) There was only one other person in my age group, so I was going to place and get good Run and See points no matter what. I settled into a decent pace and tried to survive.
The aid stations were excellent - water, Heed, and cold towels. I grabbed a towel every chance I got, trying to keep my core temperature under control. The course was well-monitored (largely because it was on the tri course) and felt safe. It also felt hilly. Really hilly. The run actually went by pretty quickly for me. I was wised to have eased off and had a decent race because of that decision.
I enjoyed running into the very formal finish line that included the race announcer calling our names and hometowns as we crossed. I was surprised to receive a very nice finisher's hat upon crossing the line. Again, another nice perk of the race that was really intended for the triathletes. The refreshments were outstanding: fruit, salty snacks, bagels, peanut butter, soda, Gatorade, etc. Again - not really set out for us, but available to us.
I waited around quite awhile for the awards. When they finally got to them, it was like an afterthought. They only gave out awards for men's and women's overall and two corporate team awards. Lame...and disappointing considering the hefty fee for the race.
That was the basic summary of the race. If it had to be done specifically for the 10K (t-shirts, awards, start, etc.) it was pathetic. If it had to be done for the triathlon as well (aid stations, refreshments, finish line, hat) it was well done. I expected the race to be a bit of an afterthought, a shadow of the main events. What I did not expect was to be made to feel repeatedly that I was a second class citizen. I hope the organizers keep this race, but I encourage them to treat it with the level of respect and communication that they give their excellent triathlons. Runners will respond to the race and make it grow if treated well.
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