Dam to Dam
- Thread starter clone26
- Start date
I heard there were 7,000 runners, not sure how accurate this is. For the conditions, I thought the organization was pretty good.
There were 8,000 runners. I thought it was really well organized. Had no problems whatsoever.
I think he meant, in the past, when it was smaller, it was poorly organized. Now, it appears to be VERY organized.
I thought it was very well organized as well. I had no problems either. I really enjoyed the race. It was my first race. Will bring garbage bags next time if there is a hint of rain, will do something for my nipples (didn't bleed but sore as hell), and get Nike compression shorts. Overall thought it was a great experience and plan on doing it again.
No, I meant I heard that it was very unorganized. People having to run to the start line just to make it, poor hydration stations, overcrowded trails, and lines at the finish line. I didn't run it so I can only speak for what I had heard.
If you had to run to the start line, that is your own fault for not getting there earlier and waiting until the last minute, and unless you have 8,000 wide, overcrowding is going to be an issue, which is why the faster people normally start to the front.
IMO it sounds like you talked to a very inexperienced runner (or someone looking for excuses to make themselves feel better about a poor time). Also, the "few thousand" runners comment didn't make sense. 8,000 (probably closer to 7,000 this year due to the weather) is hardly a small race.
I was very impressed by the hydration stations. They had them about every mile.
I threw in the "few thousand" comment because I had just returned from running alongside 55,000 runners. 7,000 or even 8,000 is a pretty small race for the Des Moines area. IMO I talked to some rather experienced runners who maybe expected too much. The people I talked to didn't get there late, they had just overheard a group talking. I'm not sure what happened there.
There's some cool apps for Android that track your route with GPS and you can upload it to a website. Here's what I'm currently using and it works for iPhone and Android: RunKeeper | GPS Fitness Tracking Using 3G iPhone for Running, Cycling, Hiking, Walking
#1 Is there a race outside LHF in the area that's bigger than Dam to Dam?
#2 Being late to the start line is not on the organizers. That's on people for waiting too damn long to get up there.
Garmin makes a great wrist GPS/tracker that I have seen. For me I like the iPod Touch with the Nike+ transmitter works very well.
Bix in Davenport is quite large. Definitely the best supported race I've run in in Iowa. I do think the fluid stations are better for Dam to Dam, but that is to be expected with a longer race.
My first time racing and I thought it was very well organized. The start, the race, and the finish all went smoothly. The start is crowded but there are large signs that allow you to line up by expected pace. Seemed to work great to me. Also, there is chip time and gun time. Chip time doesn't start until you cross start so it really doesn't matter if there is a crowd ahead of you.
