This forum is really slow. Where is everyone? I'll stir things up a bit.

I just looked over the age group awards for the Day in the Park 5K. If these results are correct, there were at a minimum, 19 awards for which there were no entries.

I think this continues to justify the Pacer position of giving awards in 10 year age groups. Recently, I read that it is suggested that 5 year age groups should be used only when the number of entries is expected to be over 200. The justification is that it is a waste of money to have awards that will not even have enough people to win them and that 5 year age group awards are so much less meaningful when you have such a small number of entries.

The Pacer position has been that each of our races, Steam Whistle, Labor Your Legs and Hobble Gobble are to benefit charity and the 5 year age groups allows us to provide more money to the charity.

I know that newbies really like getting an award, but this oldie finds it a bit embarrassing to win an award just because there were no other entries in the category.

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Becky Ryder
hryder29@comcast.net
Hattiesburg, MS

I really enjoyed several 5k races I participated in back in Columbus, Ohio, the first year or two I was running. Most of these races were held in the evening, and often were associated with a festival ("Pig Run" with BBQ festival, etc.) or other event. They were generally large races with several hundred runners competing. Prizes were given to the top 50 men and women and consisted of something like a medal, a glass (one race that ended near a beer garden was called the "Beerathlon"), Xmas ornament, etc. The same person/organization ran a lot of these events and always posted finish times and names on the internet - one list, in order of finish.

What I really cared about in those days (and still do) was my finish time anyway, although finally cracking the top 50 was a big deal when I was able to do it. Now, however, I really like the simplicity of this system - no big 'awards ceremony,' they handed you your thing as you crossed the finish line, then you went on your way.

Bottom line is that I am fine with 10 yrs - or even giving fewer (1st overall male and female) awards, in small races. I don't think we should be teaching young people in particular that every time you race you will win something so that is why you race. And how meaningful is an AG win when you were the only person in the AG?

sheryl c.

This is my opinion

Initially, when I first started back running a couple of years ago, winning an age group award was meaningful to me. It really wasn't the award, just the idea that maybe I could be competitive again at my age. So, maybe at that point, the 5 year age group awards benefited and encouraged me to continue. This could be a draw for runners who may be able to win an age group award within a 5 year window, but not in a 10 year range.

Now, having said that, It doesn't mean as much to me anymore. I am competing more against myself, or my past times rather that other people in my age group, (unless of course Charles is running)! Not to say that I don't want to outrun Sheryl, (I would love to), but it doesn't matter if she is in the 10 year or 5 year age group range, I will run as hard as I can, and my prize is my improved time (and maybe a few seconds closer to her). Also, one other thing, if we are doing these runs for charity, and we are, then the fact of the matter is that, the less money we spend on awards, the more we have for the charity, and that is what it is really about!!

Now, if the award for first place in my age group is a new car, then, I want 5 year age awards!!!

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Catch you on the run!! Audrey