2008 RRM Relay Presentation

ROAD RACE RELAYS

Presenter: Sean Ryan

PRESENTATION OVERVIEW

Brief History of Road Relays (5 minutes)

Marathon Relays (15 minutes)• Overview• Survey information• Cost / Benefit Analysis

Ekiden Relays (5 minutes)

Ultra-Distance Relays (15 minutes)• Overview• Cost / Benefit Analysis

Q & A (10-20 minutes)

PLEASE HOLDALL QUESTIONSUNTIL THE END!

RELAY RUNNING – A BRIEF HISTORY1893: University of Pennsylvania: University Track Committee adds a relay event.

This event eventually morphs into the Penn Relays.

1910: Intercollegiate Association of Amateur Athletes of America (IC4A) formally recognizes relays by adopting the Relay Racing Code.

1912: The Stockholm Olympics debuts relay running on the world stage. The baton is introduced for the first time.

1917: First Ekiden takes place in Japan.

1936: First Olympic torch is carried from Mt. Olympus in Greece to Berlin.

RELAY RUNNING – A BRIEF HISTORY1893: University of Pennsylvania: University Track Committee adds a relay event.

This event eventually morphs into the Penn Relays.

1910: Intercollegiate Association of Amateur Athletes of America (IC4A) formally recognizes relays by adopting the Relay Racing Code.

1912: The Stockholm Olympics debuts the marathon on the world stage. The baton is introduced for the first time.

1917: First Ekiden takes place in Japan.

1936: First Olympic torch is carried from Mt. Olympus in Greece to Berlin.

1982: Bob Foote founds Hood-to-Coast Relay, the longest relay in the country at the time. It is now the largest relay in the U.S. in terms of total participants.

1989: Vermont City Marathon becomes the first race to offer a marathon relay.

MODERN RELAY FORMATS

Track Relays (4x400, etc.)

Road Relays Marathon/Half Marathon Relays Ekidens Ultra-Distance Relays Special Events (Olympic Torch Relay, Trek Relay, etc.)

MARATHON RELAYS involve two or more people working as a team to complete a 26.2 mile marathon.

HALF MARATHON RELAYS involve two or more people working as a team to complete a 13.1 mile half marathon.

HOW MANY MARATHON RELAYS ARE THERE IN THE UNITED STATES?

According to marathonguide.com, there are approximately 94 marathon or half marathon relays in the country. This equates to just over one quarter of the estimated 340 marathons in the United States.

RRM’S MARATHON RELAY SURVEY

•Distributed October 2008

•Sent to 131 contacts around the world

•45 complete responses were received

IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, HAS YOUR RELAY GROWN, SHRUNK OR STAYED THE SAME?

5%

12%

83%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

SHRUNK

STAYEDSAME

GROWN

(Per Road Race Management Survey, October 2008, 40 respondents)

HOW DOES THE RELAY’S GROWTH COMPARE TO THAT OF YOUR OTHER EVENTS?

23%

31%

46%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

RELAYGROWINGSLOWER

RELAYGROWING

SAME

RELAYGROWINGFASTER

(Per Road Race Management Survey, October 2008, 40 respondents)

MECHANICS OF MARATHON RELAYS

• Number of runners (typically 2-5)

NUMBER OF RUNNERSON MARATHON RELAY TEAMS

24

15

18

1

2 3 4 5 6

MAXIMUM NUMBER OF RUNNERS PER TEAM

(Per Road Race Management Survey, October 2008, 40 respondents)

MECHANICS OF MARATHON RELAYS

• Number of runners (typically 2-5)• Leg distances (based on equity + convenience)• Hand off zones (aka exchange zones)

MECHANICS OF MARATHON RELAYS

• Number of runners (typically 2-5)• Leg distances (based on equity + convenience)• Hand off zones aka exchange zones• Shuttle transportation

ARE TEAMS PERMITTED TO DRIVE THEMSELVES BETWEEN EXCHANGE ZONES?

35%

65%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

NO

YES

(Per Road Race Management Survey, October 2008, 40 respondents)

DOES YOUR RACE PROVIDE SHUTTLE TRANSPORTATION TO/FROM EXCHANGE ZONES?

30%

70%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

NO

YES

(Per Road Race Management Survey, October 2008, 40 respondents)

MECHANICS OF MARATHON RELAYS

• Number of runners (typically 2-5)• Leg distances (based on equity + convenience)• Hand off zones aka exchange zones• Shuttle transportation• Recognition (t-shirts, medals) and awards

DO MARATHON RELAY PARTICIPANTS

RECEIVE A FINISHERS MEDALFINISHERS MEDAL?

36%

64%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

NO

YES

(Per Road Race Management Survey, October 2008, 40 respondents)

IS THE MEDAL THEY RECEIVE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE MARATHON RELAY?

36%

64%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

NO

YES

(Per Road Race Management Survey, October 2008, 40 respondents)

DO MARATHON RELAY PARTICIPANTS

RECEIVE A T-SHIRTT-SHIRT?

3%

97%

0% 50% 100%

NO

YES

(Per Road Race Management Survey, October 2008, 40 respondents)

IS THE T-SHIRT THEY RECEIVE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE MARATHON RELAY?

53%

47%

0% 20% 40% 60%

NO

YES

(Per Road Race Management Survey, October 2008, 40 respondents)

MECHANICS OF MARATHON RELAYS

• Number of runners (typically 2-5)• Leg distances (based on equity + convenience)• Hand off zones aka exchange zones• Shuttle transportation• Recognition (t-shirts, medals) and awards• Registration

RELAY REGISTRATION CHALLENGES

Who registers the team?

• Challenge 1: Team captain vs. all members

• Challenge 2: Obtaining complete and accurate data

• Challenge 3: Obtaining waivers from all participants

Who pays the entry fee?

• Team captain vs. all members

RELAY REGISTRATION OPTIONS

OPTIONS WHO REGISTERS? WHO PAYS?#1 Captain registers ALL

at one time.Captain pays ALLat one time.

#2 Captain registers team only;

Individuals “join” later.

Captain pays ALLat one time.

#3 Captain registers team only;

Individuals “join” later.

All members pay separately.

RELAY REGISTRATION CHALLENGES

SUBSTITUTIONS & ADDITIONS

2008 “NO SHOW” RATE

• Solo Runners: 60 of 71 started(11 no shows, or 15%)

• Teams: 163 of 164 started(1 no show, or 0.6%)

CASE STUDY

MECHANICS OF MARATHON RELAYS

• Number of runners (typically 2-5)• Leg distances (based on equity + convenience)• Hand off zones aka exchange zones• Shuttle transportation• Recognition (t-shirts, medals) and awards• Registration• Entry Fees

MARATHON RELAY REGISTRATION FEESEarly Registration Fees PER TEAM

(Per Road Race Management Survey, October 2008, 40 respondents)

0123456789

1011121314

$60 to$99

$100 to$149

$150 to$199

$200 to$249

$250 to$299

$300 +

SU

RV

EY

R

ES

PO

ND

EN

TS

MARATHON RELAY REGISTRATION FEESEarly Registration Fees PER PERSON

(Per Road Race Management Survey, October 2008, 40 respondents)

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

$15 to$19

$20 to$29

$30 to$39

$40 to$49

$50 to$59

$60+

SU

RV

EY

R

ES

PO

ND

EN

TS

MECHANICS OF MARATHON RELAYS

• Number of runners (typically 2-5)• Leg distances (based on equity + convenience)• Hand off zones aka exchange zones• Shuttle transportation• Recognition (t-shirts, medals) and awards• Registration• Entry Fees• Timing and results

TIMING AND RESULTS CHALLENGES

• Timing chips (ankle vs. wrist)

• Categories (male/female/mixed, open/masters, etc.)

WHICH AWARD CATEGORIES DO YOUINCLUDE FOR THE MARATHON RELAY?

2%

20%27%

44%49%

85%

None Age Groups Other Open/Masters Corporate Gender

(Per Road Race Management Survey, October 2008, 40 respondents)

Other categories mentioned include Clydesdale, military, municipal, schools, seniors, hometown and veterans.

TIMING AND RESULTS CHALLENGES

• Timing chips (ankle vs. wrist)

• Categories (male/female/mixed, open/masters, etc.)

• Awards (multiply x 3-5)

DO YOU OFFER PRIZE MONEYFOR THE MARATHON RELAY?

90%

10%

0% 50% 100%

NO

YES

(Per Road Race Management Survey, October 2008, 40 respondents)

MARATHON RELAYCOST/BENEFIT BREAKEVEN ANALYSIS

MARATHON RELAYCOST/BENEFIT BREAKEVEN ANALYSIS

Assumptions: Existing Relay, 5 runners per team

REVENUE PER TEAM $ 150.00

MARATHON RELAYCOST/BENEFIT BREAKEVEN ANALYSIS

Assumptions: Existing Relay, 5 runners per team

VARIABLE EXPENSEST-Shirts ($4/ea x 5)…………………….. $ 20.00Medals ($3/ea x 5)…………………….... 15.00Timing ($3/chip x 1 chip/team)……….. 3.00Bibs ($0.25 x 5)…………………………… 1.25Miscellaneous (shipping, etc.)………… 0.50Shuttles?

MARATHON RELAYCOST/BENEFIT BREAKEVEN ANALYSIS

SHUTTLE EXPENSE depends on: Whether you offer shuttles

Number of teams in your event (thus, variable expense)

Shuttle Usage, which depends on:

Whether you can utilize idle hotel shuttles you have already paid for

Course / exchange location configuration

Audience composition (in town vs. out of town runners)

Whether you promote the shuttle plan

MARATHON RELAYCOST/BENEFIT BREAKEVEN ANALYSIS

GETTING “VARIABLE SHUTTLE EXPENSE”

Shuttle Usage Percentage÷ Teams Per Shuttlex Daily Shuttle Rate x Exchange Locations Needing Shuttles

= Average Shuttle Cost per Team

x 50%÷ 50x $110X 2

≈ $2.25

MARATHON RELAYCOST/BENEFIT BREAKEVEN ANALYSIS

Assumptions: Existing Relay, 5 runners per team

VARIABLE EXPENSEST-Shirts ($4/ea x 5)…………………….. $ 20.00Medals ($3/ea x 5)…………………….... 15.00Timing ($3/chip x 1 chip/team)……….. 3.00Bibs ($0.25 x 5)…………………………… 1.25Miscellaneous (shipping, etc.)………… 0.50Shuttles…………………………………… 2.25

TOTAL ……………………………………… 42.00

MARATHON RELAYCOST/BENEFIT BREAKEVEN ANALYSIS

Assumptions: Existing Relay, 5 runners per team

REVENUE PER TEAM $ 150.00

VARIABLE COST PER TEAM 42.00

GROSS PROFIT PER TEAM $ 108.00

MARATHON RELAYCOST/BENEFIT BREAKEVEN ANALYSIS

FIXED EXPENSES OF MARATHON RELAYSAwards…………………………….…….. $ 250.00(Male/Female/Mixed x 3 deep x 5 per team)

Infrastructure……………………..…….. – 0 –(start, finish, tents, signage, etc.)

Labor / Exchange Staffing……………. – 0 –

Promotion……………………………….. 5,150.00

“Yet-Another-Damn-Event” Expense ????

TOTAL FIXED COSTS………………….. 5,400.00

PotentiallyZERO

or covered“IF” you have a Relay

Sponsor!

MARATHON RELAYCOST/BENEFIT BREAKEVEN ANALYSIS

Assumptions: Existing Relay, 5 runners per team

TOTAL FIXED EXPENSES $ 5,400.00

DIVIDED BY: GROSS PROFIT PER TEAM $ 108.00

EQUALS: BREAK EVEN (TEAMS) 50

WHAT IS AN EKIDEN ?

Ekidens are a road relay format first popularized in Japan.

Ekiden, in Japanese, means “messenger between stations,” a reference to an old communication system.

Team of typically 5-6 runners each run from one "station" to the next, and then hand off a cloth sash, or tasuki, to the next runner.

Ekidens vary from 20 km up to hundreds of kilometers. Television viewership of Ekidens in Japan is tremendous.

HISTORY OF EKIDENS1917: Yomiuri Shimbun, a Japanese newspaper, sponsors the first Ekiden

race in Japan.

1983: The Yokohama Ekiden, the world’s first international Ekiden, is hosted in Japan with national teams invited from around the world.

1988: New York City and NYRR host America’s Ekiden, the first Ekiden in the U.S. as a five stage, 50 kilometer relay on the streets of New York. Approximately 305 runners (61 teams) from around the world and a few dozen spectators show up in cold, windy weather.

1992: International Amateur Athletics Federation stages an Ekiden-style World Relay Championships in Hiroshima, Japan. The annual event is discontinued after 1998.

HISTORY OF EKIDENS, continued2003: North American Men’s Marathon Relay Championships debuts in

Akron, Ohio, in conjunction with the Akron Road Runner Marathon.

At the prompting of consultant Creigh Kelley, the marathon relay is structured as an Ekiden-style marathon relay.

International Standard Ekidens are usually held over the standard marathon distance of 26.2 miles (42.195 kilometers) and split into either five (i.e. 2 x 5K, 2 x 10K, 1 x 12.195K) or six (i.e. 3 x 5K, 2 x 10K, 1 x 7.195K) stages, although distances and stage order varies from race to race.

AKRON ROAD RUNNER MARATHON5-Person “Ekiden Style” Relay

Relay Point Leg Starting Point Miles KM

1 First 0 mile/0K 6.2 10K

2 Second 6.2 mile/15K 3.1 5K

3 Third 9.3 mile/15K 6.2 10K

4 Fourth 15.5 mile/35K 3.1 5K

5 Fifth 18.6 mile/30K 7.6 12.2K

FAMOUS EKIDENS

• Hakone Ekiden

• Chiba Ekiden

• Prince Takamatsu CupNishinippon Round-Kyūshū Ekiden

WHAT IS AN ULTRA-DISTANCE RELAY?

• Running relay events beyond marathon distance

• Designed primarily to attract teams of 2-12 runners

• Some are two day events, depending on distance

• Really long ones (over 100 miles) go through the night

WHAT IS AN ULTRA-DISTANCE RELAY?

• Running relay events beyond marathon distance

• Designed primarily to attract teams of 2-12 runners

• Some are two day events, depending on distance

• Really long ones (over 100 miles) go through the night

• Courses typically highlight scenic beauty

WHAT IS AN ULTRA-DISTANCE RELAY?

• Running relay events beyond marathon distance

• Designed primarily to attract teams of 2-12 runners

• Some are two day events, depending on distance

• Really long ones (over 100 miles) go through the night

• Courses typically highlight scenic beauty

• Emphasize fun, adventure, camaraderie over competition (e.g. awards for best team name, best decorated van)

WHAT IS AN ULTRA-DISTANCE RELAY?

• Running relay events beyond marathon distance

• Some are two day events, depending on distance

• Really long ones (over 100 miles) go through the night

• Designed primarily to attract teams of 2-12 runners

• Courses typically highlight scenic beauty

• Emphasize fun, adventure, camaraderie over competition (e.g. awards for best team name, best decorated van)

• Typically end with a big post-race celebration

• Oregon: Mt. Hood to Seaside• Founded in 1982 by ultra-marathoner Bob Foote• 195 miles broken into 36 legs• Teams of 12 runners• First year: 8 teams of 10 (80 runners)• Capped in 1999 at 1,000 teams of 12 (12,000 participants)• Sells out in one day each October• Staggered pace-based start (slowest teams first, fastest teams last)• Volunteers required for teams with any members living within 50

miles• Last weekend in August annually• Title sponsor = Nike• Entry fee: $1,140 per team ($95 per person)• www.hoodtocoast.com

1965

Lake Tahoe Relay

1981

Hana Relay

1982

Hood to Coast Relay

Haney-Harrison Relay

Klondike Trail of ’98 International Relay

1983

Edmund Fitzgerald Relay

1985

Baker Fitzgerald Relay

Banff-Calgary Road Race

Ocean to Sound Relay

1986

North Georgia Lake-to-Lake Relay

Coors Island Relay

1987

Kananaskis Relay

1988

Cabot Trail Relay

Illinois River to River Relay

1989

Mt. Rainier to Pacific Relay

1990

Portland to Coast Walk Relay

1995

The Relay (Napa Valley)

1997

Portland to Coast High School Challenge

1998

Colorado Relay

1999

Reach-the-Beach Relay

2000

Tussey Mountainback Relay

2002

Skeena River Relay

2003

Canandaigua Fifties Relay

Whistler 100 – The Gold Rush Relay

2004

Barkerville Rush Relay

Trek Relay

Ragnar Relay - Wasatch Back

Red Eye Relay (formerly Hoosier 200)

2005Blue Ridge Relay

Madison Chicago Relay

Heart of Vermont Relay

Reno-Tahoe Odyssey

Wild Miles Relay

Wild West Relay

2006Fall 50 Relay

Great Lakes Relay

Green Mountain Relay

Avon Need for Speed Relay

Ragnar Relay - Great River

2007Arizona Odyssey

Ragnar Relay - Northwest Passage

Ragnar Relay Del Sol

Westover Shore to Shore Relay

Sunrise to Sunset Relay

2008Cascade Lakes Relay

Ragnar Relay - Florida

Ragnar Relay - Texas

Ragnar Relay - Washington D.C.

Texas Independence Relay

2009American Odyssey Relay (Washington, DC)

Epic Relays – Cache-Teton Relay (Jackson Hole)Epic Relays – Prelay (Eugene, OR)

London OdysseyRagnar Relay – Los Angeles

Ragnar Relay – New YorkSouthern Odyssey (Georgia)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005

• Gradual, exponential increase in comprehension of the format by the running community

“The expansion of interest in Hood To Coast and interest in ultra distance relays in general was a slow simmer that is just now starting to boil over. The whole thing has been a geographically-outward-moving long-term process.”

- Bob Foote, Founder of Hood To Coast Relay

“Without a doubt, our biggest challenge is education – getting runners to understand the format. Every runner knows what a marathon is. I spend as much time at race expos explaining the concept in general as I do promoting our events!”

- Tanner Bell, Ragnar Relay Series

• Gradual, exponential increase in comprehension of the format by the running community

• Paradigm shift of the U.S. running community

• From competition to participation

• From individual event to group activity

“It’s hard for our participants to experience the ‘loneliness of the long distance runner’ when five of their training partners are roaring by in a van, honking the horn and shouting words of encouragement (or hurling insults) at them.”

- Eric Lerude, Reno-Tahoe Odyssey

• From competition to participation

• From individual event to group activity

• From highly skilled participants to all skill levels

• From personal performance to fun

• From specific mileage to a scenic journey

• Gradual, exponential increase in comprehension of the format by the running community

• Paradigm shift of the U.S. running community

• The Internet Revolution

• Helps reach a narrow audience

• Helps explain the format

• Helps reach a narrow audience

• Helps explain the format

• Helps facilitate team composition

• Helps reach a narrow audience

• Helps explain the format

• Helps facilitate team composition

• Helps disseminate information and updates cheaply

• Helps reach a narrow audience

• Helps explain the format

• Helps facilitate team composition

• Helps disseminate information and updates cheaply

• Helps obtain post-race feedback

• Helps reach a narrow audience

• Helps explain the format

• Helps facilitate team composition

• Helps disseminate information and updates cheaply

• Helps obtain post-race feedback

“The fact that Bob Foote [Hood to Coast Relay] was able to achieve the success he did, in the era he did, to attract the large number of participants he did and have the solid execution he did…all without the advantage of having the Internetas a promotional and informational tool…it’s really nothing short of a MIRACLE!”

- Steve Hill, Ragnar Relay series

• Gradual, exponential increase in comprehension of the format by the running community

• Paradigm shift of the U.S. running community

• The Internet Revolution

• A new breed of profit driven, entrepreneurial race organizers

ULTRA-DISTANCE RELAYSLOGISTICAL CONSIDERATIONS

• PERMITTING (sometimes numerous counties and municipalities)

• COURSE STAFFING (easy or difficult depending on your perspective)

• EDUCATION BARRIER(may delay achieving break even for several years)

• Relays are experiencing tremendous growth.

• A relay can drive your participant numbers and revenue if you have the energy and the personnel resources to address the operational challenges.

• Ultra-distance relays are exploding across the country in every region where scenic routes exist. If you’re in such a region and one doesn’t exist yet, it will soon. Will you or someone else organize it?