#22 Lubhu

Overview

Event Date

September 16, 2023

Venue

Bishnudole Farm House
Located at Mahalaxmi Municipality, Lalitpur
Open pin on Google Map

Distances

10K, 6K and 3K

Observations, updates and note to self

Each trailmarking ribbon was 3in x 18in (as opposed to 2in x 10in last race) and placed every 30m or so. Wrong and confusing splits were marked with giant red crosses. Bright fluorescent spray used instead of normal spray. Number of people lost/DNF on trails down to only one.
Prepare bib, waivers and medals by Thursday afternoon. Thanks to Michelle and the Houks for volunteering to finish preparing medals on race day, which made change in award ceremony time possible.
3K and 6K medal ceremony to be done separately at ~10:15am; 12K at ~11:15am; and 21K at ~12:15pm. Exact timings to be decided and contingent on starttimes.
Write clearly in bold text and stern language on the website that Snail Trail Series is a fun outdoors event and that any form of yelling, smack talking, pushing, tugging or making demeaning remarks between participants on the trails is unmistakably, strictly forbidden and non-negotiable. Some parents said they experienced this misfortune on 3K distance.
For seamless timekeeping during (multiple) medal ceremonies and mass finishes, set two computers for timekeeping + three people (two for entry and one "bib number shouter"). Thanks to Fernanda P Bochembuzo for being bib number shouter extraordinaire!
Display results on screen, ideally on an interactive device (computer or preferably tablet). A few people left early, not knowing they won a medal. Despite having the software and hardware tech, we didn't get a chance to set up the display this time, to be honest. Just overlooked planning on this end. Hire a dedicated venue crew for this, plus for sticking labels and keeping the premises nice, clean and safe.
...which brings us to the next point: secure the banners. It fell on people a few times, that's a few times too many.
We gave out 3K medals to over-18 categories for the first time. We normally don't, in order to prevent 3K from becoming an overly competitive distance (between parents, sprinters etc). Hope you enjoyed this rare moment! We're trying to think if we should continue this, but safety (and sanity) first.
Set starttime gap of 20mins (instead of 15mins) for all distances. Mobilize two sprinters instead of one (for 21K and 6K; and for 12K and 3K).
Add more trail crew at and near the finish, so people don't get confused on the last approach.