12/06/09 Frostbite Premier Winter Road Race
Registration is now open for the challenging Frostbite Premier Winter Road Race. A ten-mile out-and-back course starts at FitClub West and heads out into the country via West Washington Street. Significant hills plus uncertain weather make this a tough and memorable course.
The two-mile race follows the longer course, with a turnaround on Washington Street.
Sunday, December 6, 2009 in Springfield, IL at FitClub West
2- and 10-Mile Run at 9:00 AM
[Register Online]
$30.00 for a 2 mile race is pretty steep, even with chip timing.
Thanks for your feedback on the cost of the race! As race directors, we made the decision that the fee would be the same for both races because the costs to support the runners do not differ other than a water stop. The 10 mile race is the club points series race and we are committed to continuing to use a high quality windshirt for all participants. We’ve received some feedback to focus our race on only the 10 miler and not offer the 2 mile race but the course layout and winter weather make the 2 miler an interesting challenge!
Are there more details (than what I’m finding above) for the Frostbite run? I’d like the address of the FitClub. Thanks,Lori
Hi Lori –
Sorry for the confusion. There is more information about the Frostbite race on the GetmeRegistered site (if you click on the online registration link, you can check it out). The address for FitClub West is:
FitClub West
2811 West Lawrence Avenue
Springfield IL
Having directed and volunteered for a few races I think the $30 is justified. I think the longer the race the more work and people needed to put it on. Besides course planning and measurement there is finding people to volunteer to direct traffic at the turns and the longer the course the more people you need to call and ask to help. It is nice to have halfs and 10 milers even if it is a lot more work than a 5K, so the fee is justified in my mind.
$30. for 10 miles is one thing, but for the 2 miler where the turn around mark is the same point as the mile mark for 10 milers with no additional traffic control issues I can think of? Regardless, if people will pay $30 to run a 2 mile race, then that is the true measure of whether the price is right, but I wouldn’t pay it. Ironically, I have run the 10 miler three times and two miler once, and may run the 10 this year, but I just think the price for the 2 miler should be lower.
Can we register the day of the race
My opinion is this race is a great race. The price eliminates some of the high schoolers, especially the ones who are legitimately poor. Just my opinion.
Results for the Jingle Bell Run/Walk 5K were posted 11/21/09 at:
http://www.timingiseverything.com/Races/2009/JBS09.HTM
Where can I download a Frostbite Series registration form?
Thanks!
Mark Ellerbeck
O’Fallon, IL
its simply a change in marketing…all one price…buy 2 miles and get 8 free – if you’re tough enough for the additional 8. if not the “little girls” turnaround at mile 1!
cant really imagine that this caused so much controversy!
Can we register the day of the race?
Race day registration is offered at FitClub from 7:30-8:30 a.m. Online registration is currently open at GetMeRegistered online. Click the link for online registration in the first item above.
What does the registration go toward specifically besides the shirt? Can someone pay less if they do not want a race shirt?
Who do I contact for volunteering for packet pick up?
And more of a general club-wide question: When are the SRRC races going to start giving out useful/practical prizes? I’ve been to central IL races that give out gift cards, massages, free shoes, useful items that runners love and they are donated by local running stores, athletic stores, or professionals that want to get their name out there in the running community. I have also talked with other Springfield runners who have received prizes from other areas and we agreed it would be nice for the SRRC race directors to do this.
Maybe it’s personal preference about what anyone finds useful or practical. I’ve received prizes at club races like Road ID gift certificates, coupons, safety lights and whistles, etc. that I’ve found useful. I gave away a Garmin 310XT at my race (an SRRC points race) that I’m sure the recipent found very useful as well as gym memberships, running jackets, gift certificates to running stores, tickets to shows, and a myriad of other useful/practical items that I would have loved to win at a race.
With all the other things a race director has to attend to, I’m sure any one of them would love to have someone with fresh ideas like yourself help out at the next race.
I think the SRRC race directors do a great job putting on races. I’m sure suggestions are always welcomed but help would probably be even more useful. I have been a race director before and realize the tough job it is. Keep up the great work SRRC!
What if we had some kind of feedback form…online or in the packets? I’m sure there will be negative comments but also plenty of helpful suggestions and comments. It would also tell the directors how good of a job they are doing and be encouraging for them to do it again the next year.
I have received useful prizes in the past from SRRC races, but mostly nice plaques and awards. I think the best one was the silver plate from Abes a few years ago…I use it to put fruit on. And the woman’s distance always gives something very useful (water glass, candy dish, bracelets).
The run for hungry children (which wasn’t a big race at all) gave the overall winner a 3 month cirtificate to Cardinal Fitness, a sweatshirt, and a large trophy that you could drink out of
A race in Peoria gave a $50 cirtificate to a running store.
Maybe this should be something all the races try to do…
Oh! You’re talking about awards, not door prizes. I was confused. Yes, I agree the medal/plaque thing does need to be re-evaluated. The only stickler I see is in the price of those types of items. If you can get them donated, great. But if they have to be purchased, it comes out of the race fees. In the case of charity events, or smaller races, that type of thing can take away from your final donation and it’s already very hard to make a profit.
Great suggestion! And I also agree with you that race directors need feedback and suggestions from their participants. We need to know where we can improve and what worked well so we can keep adapting our methods and practices.
There will be an article in the December issue of FootTrails about what your race fee is used for.
Joy… what’s the opinion on the street about offering an option of an entry fee that doesn’t include a race shirt? What would you say that entry fee would be for the Parade Run.
I welcome any and all feedback both positive and negative regarding the Parade Run. I’d actually like to see a “comments” link on the SRRC site with the race/race director listed that would link them into the race director’s e-mail. I would hope that people wouldn’t use “Anonymous”. The only way you can make things better is if you listen to what the majority has to say.
With the 1st Parade Run under our belt, we learned a lot. We were already talking about a prize pack to accompany the overall winner’s awards.
Lance, that is a great idea about the email going directly to the RD. We can implement that easily.
hey this is great, I thought in saying something it would come accross as me complaining but you all are so nice in dicussing these topics with me. I never want to sound ungrateful or unappreciative about anything or anyone. I think others feel the same way so an eval would be good. About the shirts, I guess taking off an amount equal to the cost of one shirt would be fair.
I agree with Steve P.—-My kids enjoy the shorter races, but I couldn’t justify paying $60 for my son and daughter to run the 2 miler. I like the idea of reduced registration fees for those who don’t need any more t-shirts.
interesting…those who are “in the running” for prizes are the ones “bitching” about the quality of the prizes. isn’t it enough to know that you won, that you ran a good race and had a good time. now you want something – and not just anything but something you find appealing. that is pathetic! maybe race directors should poll the top finishers and inquire about their wants and needs – maybe a king sized comforter; or a new memory stick. wow. those of us with NO chance of winning are happy to spend the day at a well organized event and leave with our t-shirt which may or may not fit. grow up people – if you want a better value out of your $30 entry fee go to walmart.
What time are the volunteers to arrive? I knew this once but it went away on me.
@Jeff – I see your point but I think you came across a little bitter. I don’t think Joy intended to come across as “bitchy” or greedy, I think she is trying to put some other ideas out there for RDs to think about when they’re planning their events.
Personally, I would love to have a “no shirt” option with a reduced entry fee because I usually run 10-12 races a year and I end up with a closet full of shirts I don’t wear and they eventually end up in Goodwill. As someone who tends to be “in the running” for a prize I find that some of the awards (usually trophies and plaques) are very cool and others end up in my son’s toy box. If you’re looking to get rid of some of your unwanted hardware, I recommend supporting a good cause and donating it to your local Special Olympics.
When I head home from a race with a new PR on the watch, and an age group award in hand (whether it is a cheap trophy or 100% Egyptian cotton sheets) I usually judge the quality of a race by the ability of the RD to start on time and the length of time it takes to get results posted.
another thought (i have to savor these moments as they don’t happen often)…if the prize you win is deemed so pathetic that you would rather not have it simply find a kid that ran (maybe about 12 or 13) and give him or her the award. say its just for doing a good job – they will love it and likely cherish it for much longer than you can imagine.
sorry for the rant – this bothers me though that there are people wanting specific recognition for their superior abilities. maybe these people should seek out sponsorships and sell their prime advertising space on their bodies in hopes of saving $30. personally i think the “180 drink” uniforms are tacky but that may be a way of reducing your outrageous expense. hey its just my opinion!
have a great race and look for us about mile 4.5!
hi this is joy roate, not the same joy that is commeting above….i didn’t want anyone to think the comments were mine! i’m happy
(i’m just say’in…)
Larry K. I need you to be at Fit Club by 8:30. Please look me up when you get there and since you are going to be a course timer if you have a stop watch please bring it with you. Also, I need to know what size windshirt you will need. Thanks
hey cant wait to run the 10mile its gonna be awesome!
I am with Jeff… I think maybe these racers should be racing in faster markets where there are better prizes. Hey win the Chicago Marathon and you will win $250,000. Better yet win three of the Marathon Majors and win a million bucks. Or even one the smaller Midwest race scene and race against some of the Hanson Distance runners. You won’t have the issue of complaining about prizes because you are probably not going to be winning anything at all.
I think it’s really tacky that you are asking to change the prizes and entry fees. The race director still has to pay for insurance, permits and a ton of miscellaneous expenses. Asking them to change this will most likely bring down the quality of the race and put the race itself in jeopardy of not happening at all.
There are many things that make the Springfield Road Runners Club nice to be a part of. A regularly published newsletter, a club website, official and unofficial training groups (and numerous associated blogs), an annual awards banquet and road races are just some of them, though they are frequently the most visible. Did you also know that there are numerous (at least several hundred, likely over 1000) unpaid people who work to make these benefits “happen”, and not all of them are SRRC members?
In a former time, I was lucky to be President of the SRRC for a couple of years. I’ve also been newsletter editor for 50 months and assisted with newsletter parties, course measuring, course marking, race scoring and membership duties for many years. With the help of many caring individuals who have freely given of their time and expertise, ideas picked up from SRRC members as well as from other clubs, officers and workshops at various RRCA conventions, the SRRC has grown and prospered, and we’ve forged wonderful relationships with several other organizations. It is a great example of what a running club can do, and we have much to share with any other running club that is interested in copying our successes.
I encourage all SRRC members and lurkers to express what they appreciate about our club, what they are willing to help the club to do more of, what they are willing to help the club tweak or maybe what they would like the club to do less of. Be Constructive, Descriptive, Kind and Generous.
For example, say you would like the option of not paying for a race shirt. Well, the race director has to order shirts well in advance of the race, depending on the supplier, and in at least 5 different sizes (e.g., XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, and possibly kids’ sizes). For a race with 500 participants, it is not unusual to place an order for shirts when fewer than 150 people have signed up already. Apart from those that signed up early enough, how does the race director know how many shirts to order, and in what sizes, if the shirt is optional? How would the prerace, packet pickup and race day registration processes, and the race entry fees for same, be changed if the shirt is optional? If someone signs up on race day, and there are no shirts in their size, what should happen? Alternatively, if you know of other successful races or clubs that do it, would you be willing to investigate and record the details of how they do it? I hope you can see that it is not a trivial tweak, and has the potential to generate a lot of very vocal and written complaints if not handled carefully and tactfully. On the other hand, if you can find a way to make it happen gracefully and relatively easily, you’ll be quite popular with race directors, not to mention your fellow participants.
It has been my long experience that people join a running club partly because they want to share in the success of that club, and to contribute their efforts to it. Yeah, the club can probably be better at reaching out to you to volunteer at various club events or functions, and you can probably be better at offering your time and/or expertise at doing something that is needed, or at improving something you see that needs tweaking. Make an effort to contribute, and you’ll feel like a club member even more strongly.
Happy Holidays!
Nancy, if they run the same as last years, probably an XL. But a large would probably be fine.
race sponsors have a unique opportunity to advertise by offering gifts for door prizes (for any participant, regardless of winning or getting last place…which is winning too) and for age group up to overall winner.
it doesn’t have to be about the race fee or wanting recognition.
think outside the box Jeff and running2far…are you business people at all?
I would hope that all who know me know my heart and intentions…thanks for making me look so horrible Jeff and running2far.
I apologize for sounding wrong in my statement and coming across that way.
Well, clicking on Jeff’s profile takes you to the Cleaning Guy website so it looks like he may possibly be a business person.
I know Joy may look intimidating with her first place trophy and her 180 Sports Drink jersey after a race but I bet if you took the time to get to know her you would like her quite a bit.
Also, I hope everyone ran well at the Frostbite today, whether they did the 10 or the 2.
Thank you to the volunteers as well!
I may have just missed it, but when we arrived I had no idea where we were supposed to park. I had to go all the way down the street to find a spot and was almost late to the start line as a result. This would be handy information to have ahead of time.
That said, the race was very very well run. There were always people there to tell us which way to go, and the volunteers were amazing to go out in this weather. SRRC puts on great races. Thanks for making it such a fun day!
Ran my second Frostbite 10-miler today. Excellent race, and challenging course. I would like to thank all the hard-working volunteers and sponsors.
This is my first year running and the frostbite is the farthest I have ever ran. Though it was difficult and a challenging course, I am so glad I did it. The frostbite was a lot of fun and I think it is good experience for new runners too. Next year will be ever better.
What a great race! Thanks to Nancy and Linda for all their hard work making the race such a success. I love the prizes this year. So glad I qualified to get one.
This was my second year running the frostbite and both times were well organized and well supported. Many thanks to everyone for putting on an excellent race on a great course!
My husband did same day registration today and was told you were out of jackets. He was told to check back in at registration to see if any bags were left unclaimed. He checked in after the race and no Large size jackets were available.
Considering he paid $35 to run a 2 mile race, is it possible for him to get a partial refund or have a jacket ordered?
Thank you,
Michelle
Michelle, he can have mine. Email me at roguenode gmail com.
Michelle, I need to talk to you about this, please call me at 725-6027. Thanks
Just wondering why I can’t find the race results yet?
Frostbite Directors and all volunteers,
Job well done.
Much appreciated!
Have a great holiday season,
Alex Taft
Springfield, Illinois
Sam, Thanks for telling me about this race during Shoreline. It was a great run and very challenging. I really loved the windshirts, great color. The Fit Club looks like a great place to work out. The Roly Poly wraps were excellent. We need this restaurant in Decatur. It was one of my favorite races of the year.
Awesome race, wonderful “dry” weather! Thank you all for providing such a wonderful experience.
Amazing people – Directors Linda and Nance, motivational coaching from Barry and other Frost toes. I am so thankful to all of the volunteers and people who stood out in the cold to cheer and encourage the runners.
Keep running -
Mary T
Thanks for a great Frostbite 10 mile! This was my second Frostbite but last time the 10 was canceled due to ice and for good reason. I didn’t mind the cold this year and appreciated no ice, especially driving from Quincy. I liked the course, the Roly Polys, the windshirt, and the award. Great job to everyone involved!