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Beachy Head Marathon
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frankly EBC could have canned the race instead to save money but it's a good advert and money spinner for the town (hotel beds, meals etc) so they have decided to carry on but at a higher price - and considering how quickly it now fills up I guess part of the mentality is that people will still pay to enter. and at £32 it's still very comparable to other marathons in price - and less than many others.
I shall mail the council as a resident and ask their reasons.....
I shall let you know their reply
The chip timing does mean everyone will get an accurate time recorded, but in a way it's a shame because it removes that old magic 6 hour cut-off (every year you missed it you vowed you'd do better next year).
I do think they should reconsider that 8.30 registration cut-off though. Anyone driving down on the day may well find that a bit tight, and it does mean hanging around for a while before the start.
OK - I mailed Anita at the race office with questions about price hike, online entries and registration issues and this is a digest of her reply.
1. PRICE RISE
With the rise in costs from contractors/hire fees/Police Fees/Road Closures Fees/VAT increase and the introduction of the chip timing system, unfortunately the price increase is necessary to sustain this event.
2. REGISTRATION & CHIP COLLECTION
I am sure there will be initial teething problems, as with any changes to events. However, I intend to spend a considerable amount of time on the organisation for the registration process and intend to spread the registration over two days to help alleviate a mad rush on Saturday morning. Registration will be open on Friday (times TBA) and Saturday morning. Should, as you suggest, participants get stuck in traffic and do not meet the 8.30am deadline there is no reason why they cannot still participate it will just be without the accurate time or placing. The electronic timing has many benefits, not only for participants but also for the future organisation of the event. It will give us an accurate drop out rate allowing us to offer 'on the day entries' and more importantly the system also provides many Health and Safety benefits.
3, SENDING CHIPS BY POST
Sending the chips out by post maybe an option but as in previous years all numbers, along with the final instructions were sent out by post. Last year the number of lost/not received/misplaced numbers was astonishing so by having registration on Friday and Saturday where numbers and chips can be collected at the same time is a good option and is not an unusual request. Another reason for not sending the chip out in the post is the financial implication for each lost/not received/misplaced chip would be approx.£25 each, I am sure you can understand this would not be a viable option.
4. ONLINE ENTRIES
I do understand your point about some people not having internet access or lack of trust for the security, although I am sure you can appreciate on-line entries only events are becoming more and more common place. In the future I hope to offer the facility of on the day entries, helped by the technology and information supplied by the electronic timing equipment. Eastbourne Borough Council is committed to becoming a paperless organisation and this is a step in the right direction. On last years statistics the postal entries are by far the minority and as you point out the cheque use will be phased out eventually so there will be little option but to offer on-line entries only.
reasonable answers I think to concerns - let's see what happens eh? I think having registration on Friday will help take the loads of Sat am registrations. I'm not sure what late arrivals will do about numbers though if they can't get into registration - I guess they will have to run without which might be chaotic if one of them wins it!! no number - no proof of start etc. ooops.... that will need to be clearly stated in advance!!!
AHH AHH AHH
all the up and down, back and front, left and right e.t.c
we can all moan all year but we are still going to register and run(or limp) because THERE IS ONLY ONE BEACHYHEAD, it's addictive and we are all junkies for this one
Sadly, Mordo, i think you're right. But entries on the day? That's only of use to those who live locally (any idea of the percentage involved?). and an analysis of finishers over the last few years would give a pretty accurate picture of the drop-out rate anyway. (10% is a pretty reasonable guess.) Why are the numbers limited as they are, anyway? Anybody know? (And don't give me that old chestnut about Elf''n'safety!)
Out of interest, how do the walkers feel about using chip timing? The odd few seconds aren't going to matter much there, are they?
Thanks for the info, FB.
I don't see entries on the day happening - if they have 1750 places and have sold them all - and if people are no shows that's their problem, not the organisers - why offer EOTD?? seems odd
as for the numbers - it'a been that way for some time - 700 runners, 700 joggers (so that's 1400 runners!) and 350 walkers. I think they limit numbers as the race goes through a National Park (now - was an AONB before) and they want to limit the impact on the environment.
One day maybe, we'll have joined-up thinking . Until then, we'll just have to keep pointing out the snags in all these bright ideas ! Nuff said. Move on.
I have enough good will towards this race to see how it pans out with the new organisation - I know it is getting more and more difficult to organise large scale races and I appreciate the swift reply (and investigative activity FB).
MB - congats to you & Mrs Miserable Bleeder (and the lurchers). Hope to see you at some of the favourite offroad events in 2012 - I always do South Downs and Beachy, Greensands will probably be added to that list as a permanent fixture. One day I may even venture north of Luton.
Thanks Helly,
Have a fun packed programme of walks planned (whether I get to do them is another thing).
So it should keep me busy for the year.
May slot in another couple, depending upon finances and time.
Hopefully will be back in 2012.
is Kevin doing it as well??
but i do like the book, hopefully the remake will be good
Feck it !
Decided to enter and give it another go.
Owe it to myself, after seeing stars from 20miles onwards in 2009.
Aww, you like running really. don't you MB?
If you are down the evening before there's always the chance for a bit of carb loading in a local hostelry to forget the pain to come.
I'm in.. missed last year due to illness, but hoping for better weather than in '09 when one could only see 10 feet ahead!!!
Scotty
Helly, by Carbo Loading you mean a half a pint of Guinness ?
I've entered as a jogger, but will see how the year goes and may revert to walker again.