Fun Run without timing

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1589 Views 7 Replies Latest reply: Oct 22, 2009 8:36 AM by Marykb

RB67

233 posts since
Sep 17, 2008

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Oct 21, 2009 10:27 AM

Fun Run without timing

I am looking for peoples thoughts on this issue. A friend of mine is helping organize a 5k "fun run" for our churches 50th anniversary. I asked if she was putting the race on coolrunnings to generate more interest. She responded that the women in charge was not planning to but was open to the idea, but stated that they would not be keeping official times. I haven't done that many races, but all I have ever done had the times. I would think if someone found the race online, then ran it and did not get a time would be pretty disappointed.

What are peoples thoughts? It a small fundraiser, with a primary goal of having a communitty event.

You rarely regret the runs you do; you almost always regret the runs you skip

Upcoming:

03/27/2010 Feed the Need 5k 25:58
04/11/2010 Cohasset 10k 54:46
04/18/2010 BAA 5k 25:48
05/30/2010 Run to Remember 1/2 2:03:24
06/13/2010 Devanna 5k challenge 24:26

Completed:

11/08/2009 - Luv2Run 5k 23:52
10/25/2009 - Canton Fall Clasic 10k 52:30
10/11/2009 BAA 1/2 Marathon 1:53:46
09/17/2009 Thomsons Island 4k trail run 20:24

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Tags: race, charity, 5k

CLS89
212 posts since
Oct 13, 2008

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1. Oct 21, 2009 12:10 PM (in response to RB67)
Re: Fun Run without timing

I agree with you. If people are going through the trouble to search for 5ks online, they are probably serious enough about running to want a time at the end of it. If its going to be a very small race I suppose having no official timing is ok. As long as they make it very clear on the registration that there will be no timing...

~Cristina~ (@mission262)

Currently training for:

Electric City Gobbler 5k 11/25/20

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bellsway
343 posts since
Jan 28, 2009

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2. Oct 21, 2009 4:50 PM (in response to RB67)
Re: Fun Run without timing

You're friend is going to have a lot of angry runners on her hands if she doesn't time the race, especially if she advertises it without mentioning that there will not be official times. Actually, I doubt anybody but church friends will show up for an untimed run. IMO It's not even really a race.

Plan your run and then run your plan.

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spicegeek
2,563 posts since
Jan 14, 2007

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3. Oct 21, 2009 5:10 PM (in response to RB67)
Re: Fun Run without timing

if it cleary says Fun Run that in itselfs say no timing
if it say race .. it says timing

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1 mile - 7:07                             10K     - 52:58 ( 8:32 mm)

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crl8686
1,275 posts since
Nov 11, 2007

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4. Oct 21, 2009 7:30 PM (in response to RB67)
Re: Fun Run without timing

You will probably get a lot more runners if the event is officially timed. Even a finish line clock and a couple of volunteers recording positions and bib numbers would be better than nothing. If the event were advertised as untimed, I would just write a check to the worthy cause and then find a timed race to run instead. And yes, I would be quite unhappy if I showed up for an event and found out at the last minute that it was untimed, especially if I'd registered and paid in advance.

"...I've learned that you shouldn't compare yourself to the best others can do, but to the best you can do....I've learned that you can keep going long after you think you can't..." --- author unknown

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@ 5K: Ontario Mills 5K, Ontario, CA, 24:42

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The Great Race - Old Agoura 10K, Agoura Hills, CA, 51:12

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dfitz*
612 posts since
Aug 20, 2008

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5. Oct 21, 2009 8:44 PM (in response to RB67)
Re: Fun Run without timing

I don't feel as strongly about it as other posters, except that I agree an untimed fundraiser / fun run should be clearly advertised as such.

This year our local Komen Race for the Cure 5k drew 6,000 or so people, even though they chose not to spend the money on chip timing. Everyone knew this ahead of time and it was still a record crowd. A good cause will always draw people if it's promoted well. Our local 'turkey trot' on Thanksgiving also isn't timed, except for a guy with a stopwatch calling out times at the finish line, for those who care to know. We do it for the fun of it and to support the cause, which in this case is a local food bank. The latter doesn't bother with official online registration; they advertise on local online race listings (no registration), on the radio, and with flyers. Registration occurs at the health club that sponsors it, right up until race time. No t-shirts for that one; just lots of pumpkin pies to give away afterward!

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RB67
233 posts since
Sep 17, 2008

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6. Oct 22, 2009 5:04 AM (in response to dfitz*)
Re: Fun Run without timing

Thanks everyone, I will make sure they clearly say it is just a fun run and not put it on coolrunnings. I will be timing myself with my watch

You rarely regret the runs you do; you almost always regret the runs you skip

Upcoming:

03/27/2010 Feed the Need 5k 25:58

04/11/2010 Cohasset 10k 54:46

04/18/2010 BAA 5k 25:48

05/30/2010 Run to Remember 1/2 2:03:24

06/13/2010 Devanna 5k challenge 24:26

Completed:

11/08/2009 - Luv2Run 5k 23:52

10/25/2009 - Canton Fall Clasic 10k 52:30

10/11/2009 BAA 1/2 Marathon 1:53:46

09/17/2009 Thomsons Island 4k trail run 20:24

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Marykb
1,347 posts since
Jan 16, 2008

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7. Oct 22, 2009 8:36 AM (in response to RB67)
Re: Fun Run without timing

Another issue with these "fun runs" is accurate distance. Even if you don't time it, but the runners time themselves, they are going to be depending on the distance being exactly 5K. The first 5K I ever ran years ago was a local fun run. It was timed, and I ran it in under 27:00 without any particular effort. I was a brand new runner and not trying to make any certain time goal. But strangely that race was my lifetime PR that stands to this day. I never came close to it again even as my overall running and my 10K times improved. It has only been years later that it dawned on me that it must have been a "short" race (not accurately measured). I usually don't bother with uncertified races because a PR doesn't mean much if the distance isn't accurate.

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