Hey guys!!

It was such a pleasure running with you yesterday!!  Many of you are my friends - and it means so much to me personally that you showed up.  Seriously, you humble me, honor me and I adore you.  From the bottom of my heart, thank you! 

The race results have just been posted on this page http://www.run4rkids.com/race-results.html

As you may have noticed, I brought my video camera to the event and was going through the video clips today while bedridden with extreme pain (typical for me so don’t worry)  – here is a clip I put together with some highlights:

I’ve got to say that I was completely shocked to see (as I watched the video footage on my camera) that at the end of the race, the chip-timer turned off the timing screen before everyone finished their last lap – and I am so so sorry that our volunteers literally turned their backs on those runners who did not complete their final lap by the 6 hour mark.  I’ve run almost 50 marathon’s myself and I have never seen that happen where the final runners were not given the huge cheers and acknowledgement that all such hero’s deserve – If you were one of those hero’s, please let me know, so I can apologize to you personally - and please accept my deepest apologies for how this impacted you. 

Please also know that this was completely my fault and not the fault of any of the volunteers.  There are no marathon runners on our organizing committee so I alone am responsible for this breakdown.  I should have told them that the 6 hour ultra does not end at 6 hours – but when the final runner crosses the Matt!! – and the chip-timers, well that is a different story. I have no explanation for that.

Cindy Harris, Executive Director of Addiction Free Youth, recorded feedback from some of  you.

Here is what it appears we could improve upon for next year - but I’d like to get your input?

1)       Air condition should have been turned on right away when organizers go into the building

2)       Boiled potatoes with a bucket of salt

3)       Have chip timer volunteer let them know that they are coming close to an even number of  km’s such as 50km so they can speed up and make that breakthrough timed number count as part of their moving acumen

4)       We noticed the clock turned off right at 6 hours and never recorded the last times of runners coming in

5)       The volunteers did not keep clapping as the final participants (heroes) were coming up to cross the finish line

6)       The pizzas disappeared when there were still about 15 runners getting up off the massage tables looking for food

7)       Please make peanut butter sandwiches and have watermelon pieces (although they are expensive in the winter)

8)       Music was good but should be louder

9)       We should have had a recognized person to handle any complaints or changes the runners wanted longingly thorough the entire marathon and other runs

10)    The volunteers stopped clapping too soon after the 6 hour clock chimed 6 hours

11)    We also go feedback that runners liked the date of the first week of January

12)    The runners – especially the ladies like the long stylish shirt

13)    Runners looked for more goodies in their bags

14)    Runners wanted an early early bird registration

There seems to be some talk about changing next year’s race to a December date - or towards the end of January? – What would you prefer?  Keep it the same date?

Thank you once again for EVERYTHING!!!

Scott

p.s. if you prefer to speak with me personally about your feedback, rather than via email, you can schedule a call with me online through this page http://www.habitmaster.com/contact.html

p.p.s. Oh Yeah, one last thing!! I was blown away to see all that media show up – I did not expect that – that was because of our incredible organizing committee (who are also all my friends) – That was City TV and Rogers TV you saw show up, as well as the York University Newspaper Reporters.