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Planning and Designing Trails for Events and
Competitions
Presentation to the American Trails Symposium Chattanooga, TN
November 16, 2010
John Morton – [email protected]
David Lindahl – [email protected]
www.mortontrails.com
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Other Benefits
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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
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Types of Events – From the Modest...
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… To the Large
Start of the American Birkebeiner 55 Kilometer XC Ski Race – Hayward, WisconsinOver 6,000 Participants
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Adaptive Trail-Based Sports are Growing Fast With Exciting New Sources of Funding
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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
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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
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Many Elements to Planning a Successful Event
Volunteers
Parking Bathrooms
Registration
SignsAwards
Sponsors
Marketing
Food
PoliceFirst Aid
Results
Trails and Venue
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A Dedicated Group of People
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Temporary Facilities Can Serve Almost Any Need
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A Critical Element of a Successful Event
Volunteers
Parking Bathrooms
Registration
SignsAwards
Sponsors
Marketing
Food
PoliceFirst Aid
Results
Trails and Venue
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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
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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.
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Elements of a Good Start/Finish Area
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Start/Finish
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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
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Trail Design – “Clover Leaf” Loops for Maximum Spectator Interest
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Trail Design – Nested Loops for Flexibility and Multiple Laps
1.0K
1.5K Ext
2K Ext
3.3K Ext
4.0K Ext
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Point to Point Trails – Can be a Signature Event but Pose Logistical Challenges
Canadian Ski Marathon
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Trails – Make the Course Fun and Interesting
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Incorporate Uphills, Technical Descents, or Exciting Elements Near the Finish
A Good Course Profile
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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
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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
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Thetford Academy – Vermont’s Oldest Secondary School
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Thetford Academy – On Your Marks…
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Thetford Academy – The Start
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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
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Thetford Academy - Spectators are an Important Part of the Trail and Venue Design
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Trapp Family – The Movie…
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… and the Real Story
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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
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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)
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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
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Ft. Kent
PresqueIsle
Aroostook County, Maine
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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
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A Well-Planned Event Makes Everyone a Winner
For further information:
John Morton - [email protected] Lindahl - [email protected]
543 Old Strong RoadThetford Center, VT 05075
(802) 785-4229www.mortontrails.com
