SA 10k has outgrown mediocrity

Oct 27, 2009 Sports

---

Event lacks serious planning

By Edison Jefford
The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) South America (SA) 10km Road Race has certainly outgrown the management mediocrity that was clearly evident at seventh edition of the road race outside the YMCA, Sunday.
The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) risked major disasters in mismanaging some crucial aspects of the race. This would have been a terrible indictment given that a host of the Caribbean’s best distance runners were present.
The race has grown to regional and international supremacy and aspects such as the crowd, marketing and even water distribution were badly mishandled. The athletes were the ones who were most in danger because of those defects.
First, the crowd that perhaps surprised the AAG with their presence was not controlled at the finish-line despite several officials’ attempts to orally keep them in place.
That should have never been a function of race officials, who had to take their attention off the actual race to concentrate on managing an overwhelming crowd.
The South American 10km Road Race has reached a level where the Police must perform a greater function in barricading especially the finish and keeping the crowd under direct control and away from the athletes’ path after the conclusion.
What happened Sunday was a complete reversal of those methods of professionalism and international standards. Cleveland Forde had to paddle his way through hordes of people, who literally blocked the finish-line outside the YMCA.
The leading Guyanese male distance athlete could have been injured in that process since it was necessary for him to have a clear passage after the race so that that would facilitate a smooth run-through, which would have helped him warm-down.
It happened to Forde and every other athlete that finished in the top ten. The vehicles that were parked on both sides of the road outside the YMCA created a slim finishing passage for the athletes and the crowd only made that worse.
Those vehicles should not have been allowed to park there and barricades should have had an existence on both sides of the road so that spectators could stand behind them with a strong Police presence to monitor the area.
However, that was not the case and luckily for the AAG, none of the athletes reported an injury from the crowd-swarming at the finish, which would have been a Public Relations nightmare for the association. The mistake must not recur.
The South American 10k has built its reputation over the years and certain errors should not be facilitated. It is an international race and it should be treated as such.
The athletes need that professional input akin to an IAAF-sanctioned race.
Then there was the issue with water distribution at the finish. This is a matter that should have never reached the critical microscope. However, it goes to show how much more planning needs to go into this international event.
Athletes came in visibly dehydrated and were told at the water station inside the YMCA that they must produce a chit to get water. This was a meaningless system because it was clear who the competitors were over the gruelling distance.
No way was an athlete that just ran a 10k race going to find a chit to get water when what is in mind is recovery, which water helps. It is placing athletes under immense pressure to find chits to get water after just running 10,000 metres.
Officials could have simply screened those who were collecting water from their numbers on their chests and their appearances. The competition numbers would have corresponded with a list that officials should have had in their possession.
The South American 10k is an international race and every system should have co-related with international standards. The major aspects should have had managers with the linked institutions supporting the general idea of professionalism.
Finally, the Athletics Association is one of the national institutions that often complain about lack of funds to send athletes to international meets. Yet they failed to benefit from a major fund raising opportunity at the race.
Marketing and sport usually go hand-in-hand, but the former has undermined what could have been a perfect occasion for the AAG to add to its coffers. A simple hot dog sale and some other snack would have sent the right message.
The space of the South American 10k ought to belong to the association for that day, and as such, there should have been some kind of mechanism in place to entice the scores of spectators to contribute to the treasury of the association.
Whatever it was that could have been placed on sale was money that could have aided the further development of the sport. An empty treasury would not lure corporate entities into supporting a sport that does nothing to help itself financially.
The AAG missed an opportunity to raise funds at the South American 10k race and it was a phenomenon that started with poor marketing techniques. The race promotes itself since it has a reputation but that is not to be underestimated.
Marketing and advertising, however short-lived and minor, took one of the largest crowds to the Guyana Defence Force Ground at Base Camp Ayanganna a few weeks ago for the Joint Services Track and Field Championships.
Marketing attracts spectators, who if there is a good product will often support.
The point is that marketing and sport must have a relationship. The concepts, among others to make the race truly international, must attract the serious attention.

---

---