December 2011 Newsletter - West Australian Marathon Club

First time race director nerves
By Eldon George
After several years of participating in WAMC races I
thought it was time to bite the gel packet and become
a race director. Diminishing form in the Perth 32km
over the last two years, coupled with being even more
out of running shape than the previous year, helped
me decide the Perth 32km was the race to direct.
There is always plenty of help for first time race
directors. Firstly, from the previous Race Director
who, especially if they have been doing it for a few
years, will know the race ‘inside out’ and have a lot of
documentation to pass on to you, so in my case a big
thank you to Kate Sommerville the previous incumbent
for all her charts, maps and tips. If jumping straight
in being a Race Director is a little daunting, you can
also start out helping out a race director as a second
or deputy to get a feel of what is involved behind the
scenes of a WAMC run.
A lot of the ‘behind the scenes’ work for a race- council
and police permits, advertising, sponsorship, (first aid
for the big races), etc., is taken care of by the WAMC
office and committee. Other issues close to every
runners heart- the course measurement and locations
of the km markers- taken care of Bob Braid and
John Pettersson ‘JP’ who supply all the information
you need- the ever looked for kilometre markers and
turn around points. The main duty of a Race Director
is co-ordinating the club member helpers (a list of
which comes from the office in plenty of time) for the
event- race registrations and timing, marshals, traffic
controllers and water stations, and making sure the
course is all marked out on the day.
Two extremely handy courses run by WAMC for new or
prospective race directors are the Events Management
Seminar and the Traffic Controllers Course. The
Events Management Seminar, run by Bob Braid each
January, covers all aspects of race and you are given
a booklet with all information and documents you
will need, whether the race is run on paths around a
park, or is a big ‘Special Event’ like the Bridges Fun
Run. This year’s course is on Sunday 15 January and
all finish line and timing equipment is set up for the
Burswood Twilight after the seminar.
Another useful course run by the club is the Events
Traffic Controller’s Course, which will get you an ‘ETC’
qualification and handsome certificate to frame. It’s
very handy if a Race
Director has the ETC
ticket, so you know
exactly what the traffic
controllers out on your
course have to do and
when and where you
need to put them. This
course is also held
early on in the year. Eldon George at the Perth 32
Another benefit of
doing the Event Traffic Controller’s Course is that while
your ticket is valid (3 years) your annual membership is
paid for by the club!
Just in case you think this all sounds too theoretical,
there is always someone to ask about any questions
you may have , however small they may seem to you,
whether it be the previous race director or one of the
many ‘old hands’ around the club.
Even though I had run ‘my’ race several times and
was familiar with the route, I found it very helpful to
cover the course beforehand with a Race Director’s
eye, rather than a runner’s, and I suggest any first
time race directors do this- either walk, run or, due to
the length of the race and carrying a little too much
condition, bike it as I did. This will make you aware
of any changes to paths, taps and water and council
facilities. I’ve noticed many Race Directors run their
own ‘local’ race so tend to know every twist and turn in
the path, or recent changes in the area.
If you have been thinking of becoming a race director,
but are a little uncertain, I say do it! Though I took this
event on initially so I didn’t have to run in it, being race
director turned out to be a lot of fun and left me with
the same good feeling (a little tired with a sense of
achievement!) as if I had actually run the 32km!
To attend the Event Management Seminar on Sunday
15 January, or the Event Traffic Controller’s Course
in February please contact Bob Braid at runners@
bigpond.net.au or 9227 7281.
If you are interested in becoming a Race Director,
or deputy RD, please contact the Programme
Coordinator, Phil Webb prwebb@optusnet.net.au, the
WAMC office wamc@wamc.org.au or tick the box on
your 2012 membership form.
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