Just wanted to share my experience about something that happened at an event. I want to share because I think the little details for event routes can make a big difference in a person's experience. The names involved are being kept out of it.
I think participants, organizers, and volunteers need to read this.
I've done all manner of events over a few years, and never had a problem. It's always been painfully obvious which way to go. From the pre-event maps, day-of announcements, signage, and volunteers and staff. I've done enough single and multisport events to know my way around. I'm not an idiot. Events with pretty complicated paths also.
To the little details............
At an event I attended I got a DQ for route deviation, rightfully so. Was it my fault? The details matter. And to me, the details say it wasn't my fault. Even if a DQ is the only solution in the instance.
If you:
-study the posted event map
-verify the posted event map at checkin the day-of with staff at checkin
-specifically ask at checkin the day-of about changes or details on certain parts
-follow on-course instruction
Then:
-you should arrive at your destination successfully
The details here that matter are:
-The route posted wasn't updated for changes.
-Staff at checkin did not say there was a route change when asked. Even when specifically asked about details related to the route.
-Staff or volunteer was not on-course at the at the point in the route they changed when I came through. They were jogging back to their place and did not provide sufficient direction and the signage there wasn't sufficiently clear to indicate the change in route. They couldn't, they were about 30 yards away from the route deviation.
I just ask that if you're supporting an event:
-If you're not sure, don't tell a competitor "yeah yeah, that's it". Seek assistance to find out.
-If you change the route, do your best to state the change to competitors at checkin, meeting, email, announcement, or something. Anything.
-Signs blow down. Some pavement markings may wash off in rain. Volunteers may walk off to the bathroom. If you DO change the route from what is published already.......make it painfully obvious which way to go.
-Don't be afraid to use some soccer cones or something to guide competitors. Or tape. Especially if you change something and won't be there to guide people.
It's an embarrassing and hurtful scenario to work for months for an event to get a DQ due to details like this. Please be aware how things like this can affect folks. I did everything possible to do what I was supposed to do in my opinion. I disagree with any assertion that I could have done anything more, anything more would have been almost harassing or excessive. A couple other competitors also had a problem with the route. So, it wasn't a one-off.
We appreciate the effort that goes into events, and know stuff happens, but just know that things like this can ruin something a competitor has worked hard for.
I think participants, organizers, and volunteers need to read this.
I've done all manner of events over a few years, and never had a problem. It's always been painfully obvious which way to go. From the pre-event maps, day-of announcements, signage, and volunteers and staff. I've done enough single and multisport events to know my way around. I'm not an idiot. Events with pretty complicated paths also.
To the little details............
At an event I attended I got a DQ for route deviation, rightfully so. Was it my fault? The details matter. And to me, the details say it wasn't my fault. Even if a DQ is the only solution in the instance.
If you:
-study the posted event map
-verify the posted event map at checkin the day-of with staff at checkin
-specifically ask at checkin the day-of about changes or details on certain parts
-follow on-course instruction
Then:
-you should arrive at your destination successfully
The details here that matter are:
-The route posted wasn't updated for changes.
-Staff at checkin did not say there was a route change when asked. Even when specifically asked about details related to the route.
-Staff or volunteer was not on-course at the at the point in the route they changed when I came through. They were jogging back to their place and did not provide sufficient direction and the signage there wasn't sufficiently clear to indicate the change in route. They couldn't, they were about 30 yards away from the route deviation.
I just ask that if you're supporting an event:
-If you're not sure, don't tell a competitor "yeah yeah, that's it". Seek assistance to find out.
-If you change the route, do your best to state the change to competitors at checkin, meeting, email, announcement, or something. Anything.
-Signs blow down. Some pavement markings may wash off in rain. Volunteers may walk off to the bathroom. If you DO change the route from what is published already.......make it painfully obvious which way to go.
-Don't be afraid to use some soccer cones or something to guide competitors. Or tape. Especially if you change something and won't be there to guide people.
It's an embarrassing and hurtful scenario to work for months for an event to get a DQ due to details like this. Please be aware how things like this can affect folks. I did everything possible to do what I was supposed to do in my opinion. I disagree with any assertion that I could have done anything more, anything more would have been almost harassing or excessive. A couple other competitors also had a problem with the route. So, it wasn't a one-off.
We appreciate the effort that goes into events, and know stuff happens, but just know that things like this can ruin something a competitor has worked hard for.