Race Directors Research Articles

After Abu Dhabi: Restoring Integrity and Accountability in Formula 1

The 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ended the 2021 Formula One World Championship in a dramatic and controversial fashion. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen went into the final round with an equal number of points scored for the World Drivers’ Championship. The race was decided in the final few laps after Williams’ Nicholas Latifi crashed into the barriers with five laps remaining. After the safety car was deployed, Verstappen pitted for a fresh set of soft tyres, while Hamilton stayed out to maintain track position. On the second-to-last lap, Race Director Michael Masi directed only the five lapped cars between Verstappen and Hamilton to unlap themselves, in direct contravention of established Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) rules. On the final lap, the green flag was deployed and the race resumed; Verstappen overtook Hamilton on his fresher tyres and maintained the lead, going on to win the Grand Prix and consequently the World Drivers’ Championship. Mercedes initially filed protests for breach of sporting regulations, but eventually withdrew them, citing a loss of faith in racing and that what happened in Abu Dhabi was "not right."

Change of Seasons: Boston Marathon Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Index in October

The importance of providing wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) heat stress flag category measurements in real time is well recognized by road race directors, and it is bound to become even more important with the rise of extreme weather and pandemic outbreaks. The purpose of this paper is to describe the WBGT index and its components measured during the 125th running of the Boston Marathon on October 11, 2021, for qualitative comparison to measurements made similarly on its traditional April date, 2014 to 2019. Monitoring occurred at the 7 km, 18 km, and 32 km marks of the race in the towns of Ashland, Natick-Wellesley, and Newton. The outdoor WBGT index was calculated from direct hourly measurements of the dry bulb, black globe, and natural wet bulb temperatures from 0900 to 1500 h. The WBGT index was not different among towns; thus, the average hourly values for the 3towns were compared to historical data averaged identically. Although the black globe temperature fluctuated considerably in response to changing cloud cover, on average, partly cloudy skies kept the solar load comparable to what has been observed in April. Dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures were higher than those on most April dates shown, which resulted in a yellow (or amber) flag day for most of the race. The historic October Boston Marathon was among the warmest in recent history. Like the impact of COVID-19 on the 2021 Boston Marathon, future climate challenges around outdoor activities could necessitate rescheduling; they underscore the importance of real-time WBGT index measures.

Implementation of Congestion-Related Controls Improves Runner Density, Flow Rate, Perceived Safety, and Satisfaction during an Australian Running Event.

This study examined the impact of congestion-related controls on runner density, flow rate, perceived safety, and satisfaction during an Australian running event. Runner congestion was compared between races organized at the Sunshine Coast Marathon and Running Festival in 2019 without controls and in 2021 with added controls, including modifications to the start corral design and use of wave starts. Following a mixed-method design, runner congestion was quantitatively measured via determining runner density and flow rate in the start corrals with video analyses, while post-event surveys were used to gather qualitative evidence regarding the prevalence of congestion and its impact on runner safety and satisfaction. Descriptive analyses for quantitative data showed runner density (1.48–3.01 vs. 0.52–1.20 runners per m2) and flow rate (102–152 vs. 36–59 runners per min per m) were reduced across races with controls. Regarding qualitative data, Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney rank-sum tests demonstrated a significantly (p < 0.01) lower prevalence of congestion was perceived on course while running, alongside a reduced (p = 0.08) perceived impact of congestion on event satisfaction across races with controls. Furthermore, descriptive analyses for qualitative data showed a reduced proportion of runners indicated the start corrals were “somewhat” to “extremely” (rating of at least 3 on a 5-point scale) congested upon race commencement with controls (64% vs. 75%), and perceived safety (10% vs. 17%) and satisfaction (17% vs. 30%) were “somewhat” to “extremely” impacted by congestion across races with controls. Adopting suitable start corral designs with wave starts may enable race directors to reduce runner congestion to enhance continued participation among the public and viability of their running events.

An Analysis of Congestion During Running Events from The Perspective of Runners: Prevalence, Impact on Safety And Satisfaction, and Preferred Controls

This study aimed to examine the views of runners regarding their experiences with congestion during running events, including its prevalence, its impact on their safety and satisfaction, and their preferred controls to mitigate congestion. Runners ( n = 222) with varied experience participating in running events (1–5+ years, 5-km races to Ultramarathons, and a mixture of road, trail, and crosscountry events) completed an electronic survey. The survey was developed to assess the characteristics of respondents, whether they have experienced congestion during running events, the impact of congestion they have experienced during running events on their safety and satisfaction, and their preferred controls for congestion during running events. Survey data indicated runners had experienced some form of congestion prior to the race in the start corrals (93% of respondents), as the race started (97% of respondents), and during the race while running (88% of respondents). In turn, 73% of respondents indicated their experiences with congestion somewhat to extremely (i. e., rating of at least 3 on a 5-point Likert scale) negatively impacted their satisfaction with an event, while 43% of respondents indicated congestion somewhat to extremely negatively impacted their safety during an event. Regarding the impact of congestion on runner safety, 38% of respondents indicated they had slipped, while 27% of respondents indicated they had fallen during running events due to congestion. Further, congestion was attributed to injuries sustained (9%) and not finishing a race due to sustaining an injury (5%) during running events in some respondents. Respondents identified seeding runners based on previous run times (91%), use of wave starts (91%), and designing courses with limited pinch points, U-turns, and narrow paths (89%) as their most preferred controls to mitigate congestion during running events. Respondents resoundingly indicated self-seeding is not an effective method of managing congestion during running events. This study provides novel evidence that congestion is an issue for runners during running events, subsequently diminishing their satisfaction with events and posing safety concerns. In this way, race directors should involve runners in their decision-making processes when implementing appropriate controls to combat congestion for minimizing injury risk to runners and ensuring a viable participant base remains attracted to their events in the future.

The Prevalence and Impact of Congestion in Australian Running Events: An Analysis from The Perspective of Race Directors

This qualitative study aimed to examine the views of Australian race directors regarding the prevalence of congestion and its impact on runners during running events. Five race directors who organize large running events in Australia were interviewed in a focus group setting. Thirty-five Australian race directors also completed an electronic survey examining their experiences with congestion during running events they organize. Similar themes emerged from findings gathered in the focus group and survey. Race directors in Australia receive negative feedback from runners regarding congestion. Furthermore, race directors indicated congestion impacts runner safety resulting in incidents and injuries to runners during events. Congestion was also reported to reduce runner satisfaction with the event when runners are unable to run at predetermined paces. This study provides foundation evidence identifying congestion as an issue in running events, with congestion subsequently leading to negative consequences from the perspective of race directors.

Recommendations on Youth Participation in Ultra-Endurance Running Events: A Consensus Statement.

Participation in ultra-endurance running (UER) events continues to grow across ages, including youth athletes. The 50- and 100-km are the most popular distances among youth athletes. Most youth athletes are between 16-18years; however, some runners younger than 12years have successfully completed UER events. Parents, athletes, coaches, race directors, and medical professionals often seek advice regarding the safety of youth athletes participating in these events, especially with regard to potential short and long-term health consequences. UER may impact key organ systems during growth and development. We propose a decision-making process, based on current knowledge and the experience of the consensus group that addresses age regulations, medical and psychological well-being, training status and race-specific factors (such as distance, elevation change, remoteness, ambient temperatures, level of medical assistance, and type of provisions provided by the race organizers) to use until evidence of long-term consequences of UER in youth athletes is available. These recommendations are aimed at safe participation in UER events for youth athletes with a proper and individualized assessment.

Recognition of Road Race Directors for the Benefit of JAAF Certified Races

Recognition of Road Race Directors for the Benefit of JAAF Certified Races

COVID-19 and the cancellation of the 2020 Two Oceans Marathon, Cape Town, South Africa

The Two Oceans Marathon, hosted annually in Cape Town, is a premier ultra-marathon in Africa and globally. The 51st edition scheduled for 8–11 April 2020 however three weeks prior it was announced that the event would be cancelled. The decision to cancel was not a popular one and given all the stakeholders involved it was also challenging. Drawing on primary and secondary data, this paper considers factors leading to the decision to cancel, stakeholder engagement and associated organizational and socio-economic impacts. Primary data included key informant interviews with the race director and stakeholders. The findings reveal that the last minute decision to cancel came at a huge cost to the event amidst growing uncertainty, however it is still viewed as the right decision. Regarding lessons learned, race organizers highlighted critical areas including process changes and stakeholder management. A more comprehensive risk management approach is also required.

Exercise Is Medicine? The Cardiorespiratory Implications of Ultra-marathon.

Regular physical activity decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, obesity, certain cancers, and all-cause mortality. Nevertheless, there is mounting evidence that extreme exercise behaviors may be detrimental to human health. This review collates several decades of literature on the physiology and pathophysiology of ultra-marathon running, with emphasis on the cardiorespiratory implications. Herein, we discuss the prevalence and clinical significance of postrace decreases in lung function and diffusing capacity, respiratory muscle fatigue, pulmonary edema, biomarkers of cardiac injury, left/right ventricular dysfunction, and chronic myocardial remodeling. The aim of this article is to inform risk stratification for ultra-marathon and to edify best practice for personnel overseeing the events (i.e., race directors and medics).

Longitudinal Performance Analysis in Ultra-Triathlon of the World's 2 Best Master Triathletes.

To analyze the performances of 2 ultra-triathletes who competed in ultra-triathlon events (double Iron ultra-triathlon and triple Iron ultra-triathlon) for the past 3 decades. Longitudinal data of the performance development in ultra-triathlon athletes spanning many years are rare. Prediction of age-related performance declines in the different disciplines in triathlon events (swimming, cycling, and running) are needed for race directors to set realistic goals (time limits) for master athletes in these events. Athletes A and B had 34 and 53 participations in double Iron at 35-55 and 40-69y of age, respectively, and 26 and 20 participations in triple Iron at 33-51 and 40-61y of age, respectively. Nonlinear regression analyses were performed with split and overall performance against age. The average declines in performance in triple Iron ultra-triathlon for athlete A were 0.62%/y, 0.19%/y, and 0.98%/y for swimming, cycling, and running, respectively. For athlete B, a positive change was identified for swimming (0.19%/y) and cycling (1.12%/y) but negative change for running (1.34%/y). Running is the discipline with the greatest performance-decline rate for both athletes, in both double and triple Iron distances. The race time limit of double Iron competitions seems too short, making it difficult for master athletes older than 55y to finish the race within the event regulations.

Grit And Ultramarathon Running

Ultramarathons consist of any race that is longer than 26.2 miles (42 km). Grit is the tendency to pursue long-term challenging goals with perseverance and passion. It has been assumed that ultramarathon runners have a high level of grit because of the challenges they must overcome to run such a long distance. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between ultramarathon running and grit-perseverance and grit-passion. METHODS: A total of 153 ultramarathon runners (age = 40.5 (9.0) years) participated in this study. The ultramarathon runners completed a demographic survey and the 12-item grit survey via Google Forms. The grit scale is comprised of two major components (a) consistency of interest (passion), and perseverance of effort. The ultramarathon runners were recruited through emails from race directors, facebook groups, and email invitations from the primary investigator. Statistical analyses were performed using Pearson product-moment correlations and a one-way ANOVA. Significance was set to p<0.05. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between number of years running and grit-passion (r= 0.167, p=0.039). On average, participants had spent 14.4 (9.8) years running and had competed in ultramarathons for 4.3 (3.5) years. A positive correlation was found between the number of miles run per week and grit-passion (r=0.217, p=.007). Participants, on average, ran 36.0 (13.3) miles per week. There was no significant difference across categories of ultramarathon distances completed and grit-passion or grit-perseverance. Failure to complete their last ultramarathon was not significantly associated with grit-passion or grit-perseverance. CONCLUSION: Grit was not found to be associated with ultramarathon distance or successful completion of an ultramarathon. Grit-passion was correlated with number of years running and weekly miles run. One limitation of this study was that 85% of the study participants were female.

Grit-passion and grit-perseverance in ultramarathon runners

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between ultramarathon running, grit-passion, and grit-perseverance. A total of 153 ultramarathon runners (age = 40.5 ± 9.0 years) answered demographic questions and completed a survey measuring subcomponents of grit via Google Forms. Grit was measured with the 12-item Grit Scale consisting of two subscales: consistency of interest (grit-passion) and perseverance of effort (grit-perseverance). The ultramarathon runners were recruited through emails from race directors, Facebook groups, and email invitations from the primary investigator. Statistical analyses were performed using Pearson product-moment correlations and a one-way ANOVA. Significance was set to p < .05. There was a positive correlation between number of years running and grit-passion ( r = .17, p = .039). On average, participants had spent 14.4 ± 9.8 years running and had competed in ultramarathons for 4.3 ± 3.5 years. A positive correlation was found between the number of kilometres run per week and grit-passion ( r = .22, p = .007). Participants, on average, ran 57.9 ± 21.4 kilometres per week. For grit-perseverance, there was a statistically significant difference between the short and medium distance groups of ultramarathon runners when compared to the group of runners completing timed ultramarathon races ( p = .002). Failure to complete their last ultramarathon was not significantly associated with grit-passion ( p = .37) or grit-perseverance ( p = .92).

Should Children Be Running Ultramarathons?

Should Children Be Running Ultramarathons?

Triathlon Medical Coverage: A Guide for Medical Directors.

Interest and participation in triathlon has grown rapidly over the past 20 yr and with this growth, there has been an increase in the number of new events. To maximize the safety of participation, triathlons require medical directors to plan and oversee medical care associated with event participation. Provision of proper medical care requires knowledge of staffing requirements, common triathlon medical conditions, impact of course design, communication skill, and a familiarity of administrative requirements. These guidelines serve as a tool for triathlon medical and race directors to improve race safety for athletes.

Case Teaching and Writing

College students desire a practitioner-focused education. Case teaching and writing provide more meaningful connections with practitioners and the “real” world than traditional lecture classes. Case teaching is a teaching approach using authentic, challenging, organizational scenarios with unstructured problems requiring students to analyze situations, apply principles, and create solutions through a discussion format. Case teaching provides students with the opportunity to work from the higher-order learning levels of Bloom's Taxonomy and encourages them to challenge their existing mental models, experiment with new ideas, become engaged in the learning process, and reach higher levels of learning. Cases can be taught successfully in recreation management courses through a variety of classes, formats, and assignment expectations. Practitioners might also be involved through case competitions. A large number of cases have been developed for use in business schools that incorporate experience industry firms and organizations. Recreation professors working closely with practitioners to meet the specific learning outcome needs of a recreation management course or topic might also develop cases together. An example of writing a case with practitioner input is The Color Run case with the help of its national race director.

Interview with Dave McGillivray, Race Director of the Boston Marathon

Interview with Dave McGillivray, Race Director of the Boston Marathon

Variation in motivations by running ability: using the theory of reasoned action to predict attitudes about running 5K races

In the past several years, the 5K race has become the most prevalent distance run in the USA. Though 5K races are so prevalent in society, there is a lack of understanding about the motivation of the participants in these events. This study aims to fill the gap by examining the motivations of 5K runners. Using Fishbein and Ajzen's (2010) theory of reasoned action as a conceptual framework, the researchers assess whether variances existed in the attitudinal motivations of running 5K races by levels of ability. The current study sampled 512 runners of 5K races in Pennsylvania. The results show that altruism, competition, and past participation influenced the attitudes of runners with high ability. Altruism, social affiliation, competition, and health influenced the attitudes of runners with medium ability. Similarly, health, social affiliation, and altruism influenced the attitudes of runners with low ability. Finally, results show that runners with higher ability are more likely to participate in 5Ks. The results of this study are particularly pertinent to race directors and event planners. The results provide novel insights into the motivations of 5K race runners, thus highlighting ways for race directors to develop 5K events that appeal to participants.

Halfpipe, Slopestyle und Snowboardcross – Spannung und Anforderung auf höchstem Niveau

Halfpipe, Slopestyle and Snowboardcross are very attractive disciplines fighting for Olympic medals. There is a potential for minor and also severe injuries, caused by the dynamic and the speed of these disciplines, especially in a highly competitive environment.It is necessary to upgrade safety rules and the quality of the protectors as well as the individual boarding skills to prevent major injuries because of an increased competitive pressure during the race. Athletes, doctors, therapists and the race directors should focus on the improvement of the prevention of injuries – first of all to protect the athlete itself, but also to protect these interesting disciplines as a fixed part in winter sports.

Attitudes, motivation, and commitment of runners who do and do not participate in women-only road races

Women-only road races are a recent trend in the niche sport of distance running in the USA, as there are currently over 200 women-only races taking place each year (Robbins, 2011). To date, no known research has explored the concept of women-only road races. Because of the growing popularity of these races, the purpose of this study is to understand runners' attitudes towards women-only races and to determine whether differences in motivation or commitment existed between those runners who have participated in such races and those who have not. Results indicated very few differences between the two groups in terms of demographics, motivation, and commitment, though the results of qualitative open-ended response questions revealed both marked similarities and differences between the two groups regarding their attitudes towards and perceptions of women-only races. Implications for race directors and marketers are included in the discussion section.

Preparing for the Surge

In preparing for medical coverage of a mass participation event such as a marathon, race directors and their medical staff members need to account for the unexpected. Extremes in weather as well as the potential for outside threats need to be given consideration before race day in order to adequately prepare. Through the recruitment of local expertise from various agencies in one's community during both the planning stages, and on race day, the added stressors of such extremes will be minimized, if not eliminated. This article will provide concrete examples of how the Chicago Marathon has used its own experiences with such extremes. Readers will be given useful tools to implement in their own marathons or other mass participation events-planning to equip them better for the unexpected surge.