Planning and Designing Trails for Events and Competitions Presentation to the American Trails...

Planning and Designing Trails for Events and

Competitions

Presentation to the American Trails Symposium Chattanooga, TN

November 16, 2010

John Morton – morton@mortontrails.com

David Lindahl – lindahl@mortontrails.com

www.mortontrails.com

2

Planning and Designing Trails for Events and Competitions

I. Why Host an Event?

II. Types of Events and Activities

III. Elements of a Successful Event

IV. Planning the Venue Elements of a Good Start/Finish Area Elements of Sound Trail Planning and Design

V. Some Examples Thetford Academy – High School Cross Country Running Trapp Family Lodge – NCAA Ski Championships and Relay For Life Pineland Farms – Running and Cyclocross Aroostook County, ME – World Cup Biathlon

3

Planning and Designing Trails for Events and Competitions

I. Why Host an Event?

II. Types of Events and Activities

III. Elements of a Successful Event

IV. Planning the Venue Elements of a Good Start/Finish Area Elements of Sound Trail Planning and Design

V. Some Examples Thetford Academy – High School Cross Country Running Trapp Family Lodge – NCAA Ski Championships and Relay For Life Pineland Farms – Running and Cyclocross Aroostook County, ME – World Cup Biathlon

4

Why Host an Event?

Direct Financial Returns

User Fees

On-Site Sales F&B, Concession,

Retail

Corporate Sponsorships

Other Economic Impacts

Hotel and Lodging

Nearby Food, Fuel, and Other

Businesses

Indirect (Multiplier)

Impacts

Marketing Benefits

Strengthened Identity and

“Brand”

Establish Reputation as a Vibrant Active

Location

Indirect Advertising

(PR)

Other Benefits

Community Goodwill

Enhanced Relations with Adjacent Landowners

Promote Active, Healthy, Outdoor

Lifestyles in a Social Setting

Benefits of Hosting an Event

5

Event Financial Returns Small Events (for example a 200 participant benefit walk)

Net to the organization of $0 - $10,000

Medium Events (i.e., a 500 competitor mountain bike race)

Net of $6,000 - $40,000

Large Events (a Running or Ski Marathon of 5,000)

Up to $1,000,000 in revenues; +/-$100,000 in profits

Affiliated Businesses

5-30% increase in seasonal hotel occupancy and ADR

20-30% increase in F&B, retail and concessions

6

Other Benefits

7

Planning and Designing Trails for Events and Competitions

I. Why Host an Event?

II. Types of Events and Activities

III. Elements of a Successful Event

IV. Planning the Venue Elements of a Good Start/Finish Area Elements of Sound Trail Planning and Design

V. Some Examples Thetford Academy – High School Cross Country Running Trapp Family Lodge – NCAA Ski Championships and Relay For Life Pineland Farms – Running and Cyclocross Aroostook County, ME – World Cup Biathlon

8

Types of Events – From the Modest...

9

… To the Large

Start of the American Birkebeiner 55 Kilometer XC Ski Race – Hayward, WisconsinOver 6,000 Participants

10

Adaptive Trail-Based Sports are Growing Fast With Exciting New Sources of Funding

11

Events are Characterized by Type ofActivity and Level

World Cup

National Championships

Marathon or Major Benefit Event

Collegiate or High School Championships

Local Charity Fundraiser

Tuesday Evening Fun Events

Trai

l/XC

Runni

ngSno

wshoe

ing

Cyclo

cros

s

XC Skii

ngTr

iath

lon

Orie

ntee

ring

Mou

ntai

n

Biking

LE

VE

L O

F IN

TE

NS

ITY

TYPE OF ACTIVITY

12

Planning and Designing Trails for Events and Competitions

I. Why Host an Event?

II. Types of Events and Activities

III. Elements of a Successful Event

IV. Planning the Venue Elements of a Good Start/Finish Area Elements of Sound Trail Planning and Design

V. Some Examples Thetford Academy – High School Cross Country Running Trapp Family Lodge – NCAA Ski Championships and Relay For Life Pineland Farms – Running and Cyclocross Aroostook County, ME – World Cup Biathlon

13

Many Elements to Planning a Successful Event

Volunteers

Parking Bathrooms

Registration

SignsAwards

Sponsors

Marketing

Food

PoliceFirst Aid

Results

Trails and Venue

14

A Dedicated Group of People

15

Temporary Facilities Can Serve Almost Any Need

16

A Critical Element of a Successful Event

Volunteers

Parking Bathrooms

Registration

SignsAwards

Sponsors

Marketing

Food

PoliceFirst Aid

Results

Trails and Venue

17

Planning and Designing Trails for Events and Competitions

I. Why Host an Event?

II. Types of Events and Activities

III. Elements of a Successful Event

IV. Planning the Venue Elements of a Good Start/Finish Area Elements of Sound Trail Planning and Design

V. Some Examples Thetford Academy – High School Cross Country Running Trapp Family Lodge – NCAA Ski Championships and Relay For Life Pineland Farms – Running and Cyclocross Aroostook County, ME – World Cup Biathlon

18

Elements of a Good Start/Finish Area Adequate Space

Convenient Access for Athletes

Premium Viewing Areas for Spectators

Use of Temporary Facilities

Location for Awards Presentation

Other Requirements (i.e., Media, VIP, Doping Control)

Alternative Uses – e.g., Concerts, Weddings, etc.

19

Elements of a Good Start/Finish Area

20

Start/Finish

21

Elements of Successful Trail Design for Events

Make the courses fun, safe, and appropriate to the skill level of the participants

Configure the course to maximize spectator interest Multiple places to see the event at exciting locations

Access to the course without interfering with the event

Provide variation in terrain, elevation, and features

Separate event trails from recreational users

Provide an exciting point near the finish

22

Trail Design – “Clover Leaf” Loops for Maximum Spectator Interest

23

Trail Design – Nested Loops for Flexibility and Multiple Laps

1.0K

1.5K Ext

2K Ext

3.3K Ext

4.0K Ext

24

Point to Point Trails – Can be a Signature Event but Pose Logistical Challenges

Canadian Ski Marathon

26

Trails – Make the Course Fun and Interesting

27

Incorporate Uphills, Technical Descents, or Exciting Elements Near the Finish

A Good Course Profile

28

High Level Events – Governing Bodies Dictating Design and Logistics

Sport/Event Governing Body IssuesXC High School and Collegiate Running

USA Track and Field Start and finish width; general guidelines on surface and terrain

Cyclocross Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI)

Min. course width (3M); 90% rideable; types, number, and location of barriers

XC Skiing International Ski Federation (FIS) and United States Ski and Snowboarding (USSA)

Homologation including required climbs, width (4M up to 9M), parking, “stadium”, TV

Mountain Biking USA Cycling, NORBA, and UCI

Various rules of course terrain, features, rideability depending on event and skill level

Orienteering International Orienteering Federation (IOF)

Four sports: foot, mountain bike, ski, and trail each with different requirements/guidelines

29

Planning and Designing Trails for Events and Competitions

I. Why Host an Event?

II. Types of Events and Activities

III. Elements of a Successful Event

IV. Planning the Venue Elements of a Good Start/Finish Area Elements of Sound Trail Planning and Design

V. Some Examples Thetford Academy – High School Cross Country Running Trapp Family Lodge – NCAA Ski Championships and Relay For Life Pineland Farms – Running and Cyclocross Aroostook County, ME – World Cup Biathlon

30

Thetford Academy – Vermont’s Oldest Secondary School

31

Thetford Academy – On Your Marks…

32

Thetford Academy – The Start

33

Thetford, VT – Pop. 2,800

Since 1990, hosts 2-3 events per year:

Woods Trail Run – 2,600 runners + 2,000 spectators

VT State High School XC Running Championships

New England Championships – Every 5 Years

More Than 100 Community Volunteers (even on opening day of hunting season)

Financial Returns (1 Event)Income:

Entry Fees: $8,597T-Shirt Sales $15,673

$24,270Expenses:

Landscape Services $390Timing $2,600Toilets $1,245T-Shirts $9,803Other $2,525

$16,563

NET INCOME $7,707

Thetford Academy

34

Thetford Academy - Spectators are an Important Part of the Trail and Venue Design

36

Trapp Family – The Movie…

37

… and the Real Story

40

Hosts Over 20 Large and Small Events Annually

Major Collegiate and HS Races

2011 NCAA XC Ski Championships

Venue Used for 4 major Concert Series in Summer

American Cancer Relay for Life - $100,000 raised

2010 – Poor Winter for Snow – Most Successful Financial Season at Nordic Center (High Six Figure Gross; 40% Profit Margin)

Events Have Significantly Increased Hotel and Restaurant Revenue; Fractional Ownership Villas Now 95% Sold

Trapp Family Lodge Events

41

Pineland Farms, New Gloucester, Maine 30 minutes from Portland, Maine –

Metropolitan Area Pop. 513,012

Trails designed for recreational, site employees, and hosting events

Small events to 700-competitor “Pineland Farms Trail Challenge” – 50 miles

Do not organize events but charge head fee + other services (e.g., mowing)

42

Pineland Farms – Cyclocross 345 racers – two-day stage race

Next year – 450 racers

Short and Technical Course

$4,000 - $5,000 gross – structure is to charge a per head fee to race organizers

43

Ft. Kent

PresqueIsle

Aroostook County, Maine

44

Competition and Events – Aroostook County County Population – 71,000 over

6,700 sq. miles (equal to CT + RI)

2011 – Two World Cups at Ft. Kent and Presque Isle, February 3-10

2,000 volunteers

35,000 spectators

120 million TV viewers over 7 days

Anticipated $8M Economic Impact in Aroostook County

New Website to Promote International Tourism: www.discovernorthernmaine.com

45

A Well-Planned Event Makes Everyone a Winner

For further information:

John Morton - morton@mortontrails.comDavid Lindahl - lindahl@mortontrails.com

543 Old Strong RoadThetford Center, VT 05075

(802) 785-4229www.mortontrails.com