These are beautiful photos. I definitely am reluctant to be excited about a foreign corporation buying up our beloved local grassroots races. I’m curious why this is happening. Are the race Director selling the race outright or do they just need sponsorship money? I’d love to learn how we can preserve these gems.
It's a big question, and we could probably write an entire book about it. I suspect the answer would be different for each race (but that article of Ben's I linked to has some general explanations, or at least factors). I don't know the details of this particular situation in State College (other than that it was NOT like Whistler). But I do know from much personal experience that putting on a race is far more work than most people realize, and even if it is loved by the community, it still takes a lot of energy to rally and direct that community to keep a race going strong.
One good option in places that have that kind of strong community is to make the races a community trust, as we did with Eastern States 100 when we formed our non-profit Eastern States Trail-Endurance Alliance. That organization started with 1 race, and is now the steward of at least 4 races and some associated outreach events. The power of a setup like this is that it gives directors of individual races the assets and overhead cover of a larger organization, while keeping their grassroots nature. It's a model more places should explore (and I'm happy to share — I followed the Hardrock template when we built ESTEA, and there are other good starting points out there, too).
But I also believe that we really do have room for multiple formats. Back in 2011 when I first ran Rothrock, it was one of only maybe 4 or 5 regional trail races across the year. Now, there's at least 1 race within driving distance on nearly any weekend, and more coming online each year. Now you can run a fancy corporate race this month, a hardcore old-school down-home race next month, a destination 100-miler the month after that — we truly are living in an age of abundance.
Perhaps ill see ya out there. I’ll be at an aid station as well
Engaged, but not engaged. I totally get it Jeff, it's a balance.
BTW, great photos!
Thanks Marty.
These are beautiful photos. I definitely am reluctant to be excited about a foreign corporation buying up our beloved local grassroots races. I’m curious why this is happening. Are the race Director selling the race outright or do they just need sponsorship money? I’d love to learn how we can preserve these gems.
Thanks Jess (and nice to see you here!)
It's a big question, and we could probably write an entire book about it. I suspect the answer would be different for each race (but that article of Ben's I linked to has some general explanations, or at least factors). I don't know the details of this particular situation in State College (other than that it was NOT like Whistler). But I do know from much personal experience that putting on a race is far more work than most people realize, and even if it is loved by the community, it still takes a lot of energy to rally and direct that community to keep a race going strong.
One good option in places that have that kind of strong community is to make the races a community trust, as we did with Eastern States 100 when we formed our non-profit Eastern States Trail-Endurance Alliance. That organization started with 1 race, and is now the steward of at least 4 races and some associated outreach events. The power of a setup like this is that it gives directors of individual races the assets and overhead cover of a larger organization, while keeping their grassroots nature. It's a model more places should explore (and I'm happy to share — I followed the Hardrock template when we built ESTEA, and there are other good starting points out there, too).
But I also believe that we really do have room for multiple formats. Back in 2011 when I first ran Rothrock, it was one of only maybe 4 or 5 regional trail races across the year. Now, there's at least 1 race within driving distance on nearly any weekend, and more coming online each year. Now you can run a fancy corporate race this month, a hardcore old-school down-home race next month, a destination 100-miler the month after that — we truly are living in an age of abundance.