Comments from Race Participants - 2001

SUMMARY REPORT ON 2001 FEEDBACK CARDS

 

Compiled by Christine Powell-Millar and Glenn Millar

As always the cards were in your bags and post-race they were rolling in. We read each with care, catching your individual views and suggestions. And then came 9/11: so quickly so much turned upside down in our personal and public lives. We have waited a while. More folks sent email feedback this year. One more card brings us close to 90 returned so we'll get this out. We appreciate all your kudos: recognizing the complexity of the events and the challenging terrain. This was a much drier year and HOT on race day and logging gave us more dust, some trails more like roads. You hung in there, found humor, helped each other and had a fine day! With the organizing /support team you gave El Dorado Search & Rescue quite a boost! See you next year! Christine & Glenn 10/8/01

SOME WINNING QUOTES:

"Thank you for a very fun day!"
"I like the variety or terrain; great scenery, great volunteers & support"
"low key atmosphere great"…
"great announcing, everyone coming thru arch at finish"…
"volunteers made me feel like I was running 50 miles-to help me get through the race…
I've never encountered this attention in a marathon (30k'er)…
"the larger events could learn from your event - excellent organization"…
"even though it was my first trail ultra run the markings were very clear" (50k'er)…
"be ready for a lot more registrations - I'm telling everyone to try it"…
"you kept generous, giving nature of ROTS going - cheers!"…
"love shirt, food wonderful, shower heaven"…
"ice at all stations - great!"…
"the scope of effort - don't know how you could do any better - excellent job!"…
"try to keep all of your team!".

TRAIL MARKINGS:

For each distance we had over 60% rating as "10" out of 10 and word ratings "excellent", "foolproof", "easy to follow in critical areas", "impossible to get lost". There were 7-"8"s, 6-"9"s and the lowest 1-"7" in the 30K. There were a couple of "9"s and 1-"8" in 50-Miler. There were 5-"9"s, 2-"8"s and lowest 3'"7"in the 50K.

All the 7.6-Milers were pleased with the benefits of their Canal Trail focus: they have up and down mile markers - good for pacing and knowing where you are. Other distances love the up 1,2,3 and down 3,2,1 and understand we have to do other things to mark the rest of the longer distances.

You love the signs that say "x" miles already done, "y" miles to go and want MORE. Generally the ribbons are well placed but some folks think more chalk would help at intersections and where because of shade or going downhill (probably very quickly!) they can't see clearly or look up easily. Many of you appreciated the Burma Shave signs (or for you youngsters - the funny and encouraging content signs in a row).

On the 50-Mile only one runner wanted a bit more help on the TankStop to Overlook portion.

On the 50K there were a few folks who asked for more ribbons on the north or south side of the Lake - some as "encouragement" ones. The biggest concern (which we are already discussing) relates to the Dam Road / Mormon Emigrant Trail section - we need more cones and signs for autos and live people at a couple of spots so it is clear where to go. (Sad to say there are some areas where we "anticipate" sabotage by folks at the Campground areas for the Labor Day weekend. This happens on the Dam Road and around the Lake).

On the 30K, another "sabotage area" can be what folks named the "Sly campground" (Hazel Creek campground) where ribbons were weak or marking was confusing. The bigger concern for this distance was near the Tank Stop aid station. We heard from a handful of you who were lost, but no names or addresses were on those cards. Please give us a call so we can understand what happened. And we know it is hard to reconstruct after time has passed, but give it a try. (916) 686-1227 or (530) 647-9617. Thanks!

THE COURSE ITSELF:

You wrote:
beautiful trails… lovely trails like along the canal… good distances to choose from…
love the tall trees, shady parts… great trail run for Sierra Nevada… challenging but doable…
hard work but scenic… diverse terrain = no boredom…long downhill finish made my day!…
great to do a 7.6 miler on this mountain trail.

From us:
the dust was a problem; the lost trees and clear-cut logging in certain sections were disturbing. Reportedly, this will not be repeated. This year we were forced to end the 50K on pavement (and a surprising # of you liked that!) - we will return to a trail ending next year.

PROBLEMS, WHAT WAS MISSING:

Happily, a majority of you said "nothing missing" and "no particular problem". Cooler temps, rain (of last year) missed. Items missed: Clif / Power bars, energy gels (Gu, Hammer Gel, etc.), raisins, gummy bears, bananas (ran out at some aid stations). One 30K'er missed Advil - it was at every station, so hard to understand. Some ask for alternative fluids. Some want less road or pavement. The first aid station for the three longer runs is (as last year) Five Corners - some returnees didn't catch that (it used to be the Overlook, a little earlier). Some of you confessed you needed to train better or your body was having a bad day! Also missing were "LazyBoy recliners" and "single women"??? And Beer - we have a Hoppy (sic) solution in the works on this. SHIRTS (not the Sweatshirt) - 1st major change in 8 years: 22 comments - "vote" split 50/50; missed quality T-shirts… like the new material…don't like the singlet cut… can run in new version…want larger logo…how about date on them?

DON'T CHANGE:

You wrote:
the whole event… the race organization…the wonderful attentive volunteers…
low key friendly atmosphere…Aid stations so well stocked & spaced…
the Water Stops between formal Aid Stations were "life-saving" to some…
the Signs - add more…a lot related to the Finish area - see below…
these feedback cards "great way of staying in touch with the customer"…
Slow Elk award for last finisher…Xmas lights, banners.

GLAD WE HAD:

Various Great Things seen above:
water buckets & sponges…ice…cold water…Gatorade…
Thermotabs (salt tablets)…Advil…PB&J sandwiches…fig newtons…
fruit, esp. melons…cooked potatoes…homemade treats…M&Ms…
gummy bears…jellybellies…salty items…rock salt…
Coke (some say defizzed best)…lots of finish-related goodies.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Camping really got big kudos…filling bottles for runners…
handing out cups when congested…belt buckles…sweatshirts…
awards…Burma shave signs…the expanded efforts for the 7.6 miles…
having gate open (at beginning of Canal Trail, we think)…
Starbuck's Van - a big hit, please repeat…great location!

START:

Some did ratings: 8,9,10! Great parking assistance…like same day registration option…
thanks for starting on time…good briefing…punctual…
good pep talk, humor…good to have Bob / Barry transition…
some wanted more "welcome" and "thank you for participating" aspects…
need to humor, cheer up the packet volunteers (probably sleepy)…
Apple Orchard is great setting…more port-a-potties.

FINISH:

Also ratings of 8,9,10! Exciting, festive, great food…
wonderful to be able to have massage too…men's & women's shower - too much!!…
now how about hot water?…instant raffle prizes a real treat…
great announcing at finish (and who gave the mike to Norm - low blow)…
still want more cones and ropes to guide folks from downhill and into arch…
just a few problems with postings on finish board, monitor a bit more…
post course records for each distance…

On these items, people glad we had but want more:
Water, Other Drinks, Veggie & Turkey burgers, Chicken, Fruit.
Some suggested whole-wheat buns; others lettuce & tomato.
Move the Time Clock closer to the arch.
NEED clear recycling system, just mark bags or cans well and everyone can pitch in.
NEED more sitting places: Consider this a call to throw in beach/patio chairs on your way to the race. Thank You!

MORE SUGGESTIONS:

1. Ask a local construction co. to contribute to cause with water truck to water down roads they can get to.
2. How about a spaghetti feed on Saturday p.m.? (maybe folks just need directions re: good local places).
3. 50 mile cut-off time supposed to be 5.00 p.m. at Overlook aid station? Too early?
4. Age-group awards every 5 years? Different awards? Equal prizes for different distances.
5. Various specifics to Tank Stop Aid Station re check-off runners, cooked potatoes, ice & location - will pass on to them.

AND IN CLOSING:

Many of you passed along THANKS to Margie & Bob for all their contributions past and present. Many of you appreciated the new RDs Barry and Lucinda and cheered them on to the next year! We are glad so many of you had a great time and we welcome your return, with buddies!

Christine and Glenn

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