I’ll be taking part in a race this Sunday that was moved from Ocean City NJ to Bellepain NJ. Race was sold as an ocean swim, closed bike course, and beach run. Three weeks prior to the race it was moved to Belleplain State Forrest which is nice but it’s no ocean tri and many people rented places in OC to spend the weekend and race right there. Here’s the RD’s response as to why we were told so late:
“Government channels for just about anyone can change and in our case this happened. We were under the impression that all was good to go having follow…ed the same process as in past years until we found out that things had actually changed internally and that the decision making process was one that would lead to the city deciding that it was unprepared to handle the event this year. We suggested moving the date but it only became more difficult. As is we’ve done an enormous amount of footwork to still hold the event in a location that is very close by. We tried to get even closer but were unsuccesful. Again, the new venue for this year and our plans will guarantee a comepetive, fun, and memorable race on a great course.”
I’m doing the race and have never organized an event so I don’t want to bash away at something I have no experience handling so I thought I’d gauge the ST population for their thoughts. How early in the year do you secure a permit for a race? 6 months? I have no idea… I see people on Facebook asking about refunds but no specific respond or official statement from the RD saying people are entitled to refunds if they wish.
Many races have the verbal nods and are given verbal go ahead 6-12 months ahead of time. For the most part, the signing of the documents/permits are formalities. They are usually signed and delivered weeks or a few months ahead of time. Well organized races take 6 months to a year to plan and market for, so you can’t really wait for the actual signing of the documents/permits to start your planning. You can only talk to the proper officials to get the a verbal nod and hope for the best.
Even with the proper permits, govt officials can still pull the rug underneith the RDs even at the last moment. The Annapolis Triathlon had the rug pulled underneith them I think 3-4 weeks before the race even though they were given the verbal go ahead by multiple agencies way ahead of time. The Nations Triathlon this year had to make last moment adjustments to their course because the course that was given the go ahead earlier is now no longer approved.
I feel for these RDs when the rugs are pulled underneith them. The public sector buracracies do not work that fast. You can’t really organize a well run race if you have to wait until all of the permits and proper documents are signed and delivered by all relevant agencies (permit office, police, fire, etc) before you start your planning and marketing.
For what it’s worth, when the Annapolis Tri had their swim permit denied/changed at the last moment, they changed it into a dual. They offered 100% refund to anyone who wanted their money back. They also gave the participants the option to donate 100% of their registration fees to a local charity in Annapolis.
Have been seeing this more and more. It is generally not an indictment of the RD but often more of changes in local politicians or priorities.
I think some of this pops up as the race gets closer and a concrete commitment is needed for closing of roads or at least starting to give the locals more notice that there may be delays. Rev 3 I think had this happen in Portland where one town basically pulled out and said “Not on our roads”
Could these RD push back and say they have permits and commitments. Sure… But that stink likely will make things more difficult in that community in the future as well as others may think again in the future.
Races function best when a community is not only involved, but welcoming.
Sorry to hear the race got switched, but it also shows me that the RD is doing their best to adjust and try and provide a quality experience.
I’m pretty happy RD’s take the time/effort to do what they do. If they do a good job putting on the race, I’d give them considerable leeway to make the decisions necessary to put on a quality race, even if this meant moving the race, cancelling a leg due to unforseen circumstances, etc. If the race is shoddily run/organized, I’d take my business elsewhere in the future.
In this case, you paid, you planned to do a race on that weekend, I don’t really see the big deal.
I thought it was more than three weeks, but that doesn’t matter. A metropolitan area isn’t going to give a small race like this priority over other events (like 9/11 commemoration, as the case here) that arise. It sounds like the RD tried to minimize the change for as long as possible, but in the end failed. They decided, as is their right, to change the venue. I think you’ll find that whatever transition area they now have will be better than that mess they had last year. And the double out-and-back bike wasn’t too great, either. The beach run was different, for sure (and painful).
Lucky for me, I waited to enter this year, and declined because of the change (I have access to a house right near the course in OC, and it is one of the few venues where my family can see me race).
Go to OC, take the extra time to get to Belleplain, enjoy the race, go back to OC and have a nice pancake breakfast.
I really enjoyed that course. The bike course was tight but the loops also gave family and friends an opportunity to see the racers more than just the few seconds at T1 & T2. I was the first wave so there wasn’t any congestion in transition for me but the beach run did leave the legs screaming! No pancakes for me, it’s EAGLES time!
Seems like these things happen all over and it’s just the first time I’ve been directly effected aside from weather related changes.