Researching Your Next Event

Researching your next running event is crucial

Not all events are run on a flat course! That might sound like an obvious statement, but it's a very common assumption and one that catches out many thousands of runners every year. Research your next event thoroughly and take into account course gradient and other issues like what time it starts, how early to you have to arrive beforehand, how far is it from where you can stay, what is the weather likely to be and how will you get there and back? There are lots of points to consider. Time spent planning is well worth it!

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How much is it?

Given how much events cost to operate most of them are very low cost. A half or full marathon of around 5000 runners in the UK will often be around £40-£50, which represents really good value. It can be very different in the US where a big city centre marathon can often be $200-$300 and closer to $400 if you enter close to race day itself.

When you're researching costs make sure you look at how the pricing structure works. There is often an early bird price (when entries first go live) and this will be considerably cheaper than it will be a few months out from the event. If you're confident that you have found the race for you then lock in an entry early and save yourself a lot of money.

Is there a ballot?

There are a number of really popular events that operate a lottery, or ballot system. These include all of the World Marathon Major events and others like the Big Sur International Marathon in California and the Great North Run in the UK. if you enter one of these you may need to pay a deposit and then the full amount if you get a spot, but they are all different. Some of them are increasingly hard to get into, like the London Marathon, and the chances of getting in via the ballot are slim.

There are other options if you don't get a ballot spot. Tour operators have entries, but you'll generally have to buy a travel package as well, and there will be a charity programme where charities purchase entries. Running on a charity entry can be very rewarding, but again do your research and make sure you're clear how much you'll need to raise.

Can you get your money back if you withdraw?

Things don't always go to plan and occasionally runners need to withdraw or defer their entry. Since the pandemic many event organisers have tightened their refund rules, so double check the small print. Don't expect your money back if you get injured or your training doesn't go well, but a deferral to the following year might be possible.

What's the course like?

The vast majority of the big sell out events have very flat courses. Chicago, Berlin and London have consistently fast times for a reason, but Boston and New York are more challenging and are unlikely to see world records, thanks to some very memorable inclines. Boston's Heartbreak Hill anyone?

Have a good look at the gradient maps on event websites. Most have a profile view and if they don't then look at the online reviews. There will be plenty of runners who have shared their feedback online, so make sure you search it out. If the event has incredible views then ask yourself what sort of hills do you have to run up to get those views. The Big Sur International Marathon in southern California has some of the most incredible coastal views of any marathon in the world, but it's also one of the hilliest courses.

If you do decide a race with hills is for you then make sure you incorporate plenty of hill training in your schedule. Most training plans won't include hill work, so you'll need to find approach that works for you and weave it in.

What's the weather likely to be?

Race organisers work hard to ensure their event doesn't take place in extreme conditions, but that plan doesn't always work out. Generally races in hot and humid destinations will start much earlier than in temperate climates, sometimes even in the dark. Places like Los Angeles and Miami have their marathons in the winter months, but that doesn't mean it will be cool from start to finish. New York's marathon can be 18 degrees centigrade or 8 or less, anything can happen. Remember also that the event start will most often be much colder than the finish and may need to bring plenty of additional clothes, especially in somewhere like New York where you could be waiting three hours or more at the start area. It's less of an issue in a city like Singapore, but it will still be cooler at the start.

What time does it start?

Your race day timings play an important role in how you manage your long runs, so make sure you find out nice and early what time your race starts. Most temperate countries have start times around 9am to 10am, but events start much earlier in hot countries. Your long runs should mirror your race start time, so if you do have a 6am start this will significantly impact your long runs.

The start time will also impact how you get to the start, what time you have breakfast, what time you go to bed the night before and more. Is there good public transport if you need it, are Ubers available if not, is your hotel putting on food especially if it's really early start?

What is the race day support like?

Another important area to research is the level of race day support. Don't assume there will be enough water stations, or gels provided on course. Of course there will be at the major events, but as the event gets smaller and the entry fee lower the support could well be significantly reduced. This means that you could well need to bring much of what you need with you. Yes, there is likely to be water, but that could be it. That in itself might not be a reason to look elsewhere, but at least you'll be prepared.

This is vital race day support!

Do you need to go to an expo?

The really big events will most probably have an expo and it's likely you'll need to attend to collect your race number. It's not always the case, like with the Great North Run in the UK, but it is very likely with all the big city centre marathons. If this is the case with an event that you're looking to enter just make sure that you check the opening and closing times. If you're flying in you'll need to make sure your flight gets in with plenty of time to spare if you're coming in the day before the race. You absolutely cannot be late for these expos. If the information on the website says the expo closes at 5, then it will close at 5, with no exceptions. Don't be one of those runners that has to watch on race day from the sidelines because they were late to collect their bib...

Where can you stay and how much?

The bigger the race the bigger the impact on local accommodation, especially on a small city. It is fairly inevitable that thousands of runners descending on any destination will increase prices, so be prepared to pay a bit more than you expect, if you have to stay over on race weekend. There are lots of issues to decide when booking and proximity to either the start or finish is obviously one of them, as well as the ease of getting to the start. Check out this post on choosing somewhere to stay for London Marathon runners. Many of the points are relevant to other events.

What's the local transport like

For a one of the bigger events, such as any of the World Marathon Majors it's common for additional transport to made available on race morning to help get runners to the start, usually on the train network This is however unusual in the wider market, so plan carefully when it comes to selecting your next event, as some can be much tougher than others to get to. On occasions getting back to your hotel afterwards can be a challenge as well, especially as you'll be a lot less mobile. Overall it's much easier than it used to be thanks to the introduction of Uber and Lyft, so make sure you have an account with one or both of these. If you live locally remember that parking at most start areas will be pretty much impossible, unless it's a really small, local event.

If you need to fly how much are flights?

Before you press the 'enter now' button on your next overseas event take a minute and check out the cost of flights. Whilst the event itself itself might not push up the price there may be other factors that do and it might also be a lot more than it used to be, thanks to the pandemic. Depending on how early or late you are planning to enter the race availability of flights might also be an issue, so have a good search first before you commit to your race entry.

What are the finisher goodies?

If you're an avid collector of medals then this will be one of the first things you should look for on the event website. Not all of them now offer a tradition metal medal for environmental reasons. There may be a wooden medal, or even a porcelain medal. This may not be your preference, but is it a reason not to run a particular event? Most events also offer a T shirt, and sometimes these are available beforehand, either sent in the post or picked up at the expo, but more often than not they are given to finishers as you cross the line. In addition many events have a goodie bag available at the finish with all manner of sponsor products.

Some of the finisher goodies can be very different to others!

Don't rush in, take your time and if your dream race is still your dream race after your research then get it booked as soon as you can and beat the potential price rise!

Quality race research is crucial to the emjoyment of your next event!