Interview: Terry McGrath Race Director ROTG

What advice would you give first time ROTG runners and walkers?  Train. Train. Train.  This urban course is longer than a 5k and has its share of elevation changes, most people love the challenge of the course unless they are not prepared as it runs like a 10k for the novice. Runners don’t run 7k usually and that distance can be challenging for many—they are ready for a 5k and that extra 2k can really cause some pain! Our course is also in downtown Denver and the streets are wide enough for passing. Pacing is so important at the start of a race. With the wide areas to run, some racers will be tempted to start to fast. Once they start heading up the hill close to mile number 2 they will really feel that quick start!!

How much has ROTG changed over the years? A lot.  It started as a 5k in City Park ,  and moved to LoDo the second year. We became the Lucky 7 k as we wanted a longer run and wanted something different –there just are not many 7k races around and definitely none that attract as many runners as we do! At the time there were no races were in LODO and very few in city street races. Our race has a great Denver feel to it and we really like that.  We also wanted something other than the St. Pats parade that people  could  participate in rather than watch. And if you look at our crowds we are starting to draw spectators along with all the runners. It’s just great for LoDo. In addition, we wanted and got an alternative St. Pattys day event so we became Denver’s Classic Irish Jog.  

Talk a little bit about your venue downtown and how that adds to the event.  The urban jungle feel – you are in Lodo and then next thing you are running past Coors Field—how neat is that? The streets are tight-the turns leaving the start to the race and then the sweeping views of the city as runners come back into LoDo from the other side of I-25. Ask any of runners and they will tell you about the rolling hills that people driving never notice! And after the race? We have one heck of a block party!! This is just unheard of—in fact I’d say we have the best period. Also, our block party in LoDo was voted the best by Colorado Runner a few years back. ROTG is on the must do of most peoples run calendar. It’s that first big event of the season for many competitive runners.  It is an annual welcome to spring too.  Get your shoes out of the closet, get off the couch  and start running again.  At the seasons first big race.

What is the biggest challenge you face as a race director?  Starting in September of each year…and there simply is never enough time for everything!!!

Describe your typical race day.  Up at 4 am…. then work at 1000 miles an hour all  day…I look up and all of a  sudden it’s 4 in the afternoon! The streets return to normal like nothing ever happened. No race. No party. Nothing.    But in reality its sheer pandemonium. I’m dealing with vendors, runners, timing, scoring, I lose 10 pounds in 12 hours it takes 3 full days to recover brain and body. But I love it.

ROTG Lucky 7k

 

	Runnin' of the green WAS VOTED THE 2011 RACE OF THE YEAR BY Colorado runner magazine. "Like us" and be eligible to win a $100 gift certificate to Runners Roost and free entry into the 25th Anniversary of Runnin' of the Green. EARLY PACKET PICK UP  Runners Roost 1685 S Colorado Blvd Friday March 9th 3pm - 7pm and Saturday March 10th 10am - 4PM

 

 

Denver's Classic Irish Jog

www.rotg.org

The Recovery Approach

Good read on how Ryan Hall and other endurance athletes are optimizing training by resting, eating and sleeping more.
http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=25386&PageNum=1

Wipro San Francisco Marathon & Half Marathon

Next up: Race Interview with Creigh Kelley Valentines Day 5k

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Race Review: 16th Annual Oatmeal Festival

Lafayette (CO). January 14, 2012. By Thomas Denning. 

Pancakes.

Oatmeal with brown sugar, roasted almonds, peaches, blueberries, yogurt raisons, coconut toppings, watermelon, bananas and M&M’s? 

You bet! 

Those were some of the post race treats I saw at the 16^th Lafayette Oatmeal festival 5k held under sunny skies with almost no wind.

For many, the buffet line was longer than the actual 5k race. And even if all those post race goodies added a few calories, the 3,000 plus people who ate breakfast didn’t seem bothered.  

A common theme among runners was running smart, staying clear of injury, and testing form after another off season of training.  “I just want to make it to the finish without going out to fast. It’s a long season and I’m not sure what to expect” said Colorado Running Magazine Runner of the year Steven Kohuth.  (he did even in 19.01 after battling a cold all week).

I felt the same way. Go out smart, stay clear of any or snow or ice on the course (almost none) and see what I had in the tank. I was happy enough with my 21.23 http://boulderroadrunners.org/results/Oatmeal_5K_2012_Place.HTM as it was my first ever race in January.  In five previous years of racing, I have started my competitive season in March.

I found the logistics of the Oatmeal festival to be first class. There was plenty of off-site parking at Flatirons Community Church located less than a mile from the start finish. In addition to the shuttle service provided from the Church parking, there was also lots of parking at various spots near the course. I ducked into one less than a half mile from the starting line and got in a much needed warm up prior to the race.

Registration was a breeze. With ample volunteers stationed at check in, the lines appeared to be smooth and flowed evenly throughout the pre race countdown.

I had pre-registered, so I picked up my packet early (as I almost always do) and this was also very well organized and efficient. I got a chance to speak with event director Pat Vero of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce who was clearly happy with the turnout. 

The course gets outstanding marks. There is ample space on the start line for the wide variety of runners the race attracts. Many large events have problems coordinating the start of race but not the Oatmeal Festival. Elite runners had no problem separating from the joggers , walkers and strollers as each was clearly marked at the start line—and repeatedly mentioned by the race announcer. 

The run heads South on Harrison Street before turning West and climbing slightly uphill on Simpson. With lots of room to maneuver, runners spread out evenly. The sub six minute gazelles fell in single file and ran away from the rest of us even before we turned South again and rolled downhill on Bermont.

After a refreshing downhill stretch many runners settled in a natural pace (6:53 for me today)  before turning West again and passing the first mile. The race here heads due West toward Waneka Lake on Emma Street and the turnaround. I kept thinking about all that nice kind-of downhill as I made the turn and got into the competitive mode matching the runners around me.

I cruised the final mile and half to the finish. Grabbed a cold water and Gatorade and walked back to the car to change shirts. Once I changed, I took in the sights and post race buffet.

I highly recommend the Oatmeal Festival as a run or jog. Of course that recommendation might change if the weather was colder or there was a lot of snow! But for racing logistics, course layout, efficiency of registration, (did I also mention the fancy long sleeve tech shirt?) and especially post race buffet, the Oatmeal Festival is a definite A+ race.

The race is also a part of the 15 race 2012 Colorado Runner Racing Series.  The series scores the top ten finishers in all divisions through the season. 

There are less  than 60 days of training before my first big event of the year, the Runnin of the Green http://www.rotg.org/ .

Interview: 16th Quicker Quaker-Lafayette-Racing Staff

The Colorado race season kicks off in Lafayette with the 16th running of the Quicker Quaker January 14th. Thoughts on the Run caught up with the staff of the QQ for a short interview.

Last year the race attracted more than 1,000 runners with some blazing fast times. The course is suited for great times even in the cold weather.  Describe what first time runners can expect.

QQ5k:Plan to arrive early to secure a parking space and register if racers haven’t pre-registered.  We strive to create an event that is supportive of both competitive runners as well as casual participants. While we celebrate our elite runners, we also cheer on all of our walkers at the finish line.  After the race participants can pick up coats and other belongings they’ve chosen to check.

There are also a lot of folks who come out to jog or walk the event. It really is a nice mix of competitive runners and health minded folks who want to get out and enjoy the event with family. How do you balance the two?

Part of what we do includes providing additional healthy activities during the event such as the Oatmeal Breakfast, Baking Contest, and the Health Fair so folks can enjoy a day with friends and family if they prefer not to have the Race be their sole focus.  We send off racers in waves beginning with the elite/competitive runners who start first and finish with walkers so participants don’t feel intimidated.  We encourage family members of all ages to participate and allow strollers and dogs on leash.

The race is also a part of the overall downtown experience. Talk about some of the great events people can expect after they run.

The Health Fair runs from 8am-1pm at the Bob L. Burger Recreation Center located at 111 W. Baseline Rd which is right next door to the Breakfast.  The Fair features over 50 health-related vendors who provide hands-on activities, information, screening and more.  There’s no home improvement salespeople or jewelry sales… just health-related information.

The Oatmeal Breakfast runs from 7:30am – 12:30pm and includes the world’s largest toppings bar.  It is held at Pioneer Elementary, 101 East Baseline Road.  Cost is: Adults - $8  Youth 3-12/Senior 60+ - $6  Tots (2years and under) – Free.  Race entry includes Breakfast

The Baking contest is located at Pioneer Elementary and requires all entries to include oatmeal as a main ingredient. Entries must be submitted by noon on Jan 12.  Samples of entries will be made available to the public ($1.00 per person) from 10:30am – 11:30am for the Community Choice Award voting. Winners will be announced at 12 noon in the Pioneer School Atrium.  Information on entering the contest can be found at http://www.lafayettecolorado.com/oatmealfolder/2012oatmealfestival/bakingcontest2012.html