Anyone doing the Ellisville 5K this weekend? I'm thinking about doing this one and would like to know if the course will be accurate, etc. Is this the first year for this race?

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Becky Ryder
hryder29@comcast.net
Hattiesburg, MS

I did this race last year. The course is very nice with plenty of room on a flat route inside the Howard Ind. Industrial Center, however it was a little short (maybe a tenth). I am also planning of doing this race again this year, see you there.

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Later,


charles J.

I also plan on running this. Philip ask me to charge and bring the clock and I will, but would like someone to bring it back. I need to be at Christian Services at 9:30 Saturday morning.

Becky/Audrey- did eithier of you decide if you are going to Ellisville Saturday? Christian Services needs us at 9:00 instead of 9:30 so I would pretty much have to drop the clock off and not run. If you go would you be willing to take the clock, if not I'll still get it there.

keith, I just left you a message on you phone. you can bring to clock to audrey or me @ Mississippi Tank this morning.

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Later,


charles J.

If you aren't able to get the clock to Charles, you can bring it by my house and I'll take it.

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Becky Ryder
hryder29@comcast.net
Hattiesburg, MS

Thanks Becky! I plan on meeting Charles at The Gateway at 12:00.

ran this 5k last year and would like to encourage my fellow pacers to do this race. Very nice route and a good cause. Kelton & I will not be there since my son Cameron's graduation party will be taking place at our home. GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE WHO RUNS and ENJOY!

I'm hoping that someone else will write a race report. I just want to write about the race in general. This race has a lot of potential. The best thing it has going is it's location. It is flat, there is no traffic, has lots of parking, benefits a good charity and real restrooms are very close to the statt and finish.

Now, for the criticism. The major problem is that the course was not accurate. That is such a shame, considering all they had to do was adjust the start and finish lines. As it was, the distance (after consultation with several people who ran with Garmins) was about 2.94 miles.

The final suggestions for all race directors:

1. Get the clock a couple of days before the race and be sure it is charged and that you know how it operates. When they got ready to put the clock on the tri-pod, they found that a part that secures it was not there.

2. The same time line holds true for the printer timer. But, in addition, you need to be sure it has an adequate amount of paper and check the batteries to be sure they are fresh. If not, put new ones in and practice so that you are familiar with all facets of this gadget. There is a very good manual of instruction that is in the box and will answer all questions/problems.

The reason I'm on this rant is that in today's race, the first 9 people did not have times recorded. They may have worn watches and may know their time, but the results will probably not be available for general consumption.

I want to conclude by saying that I have volunteered/directed hundreds of races and I have probably made or will make every possible mistake. I just feel that we all need to pay attention to these details such as accurate course and timing.

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Becky Ryder
hryder29@comcast.net
Hattiesburg, MS