Gorilla Run October 13th 2007 Calgary Zoo
I volunteered to help out with this race in Calgary this year. I had heard good things about it from runners in the past and wanted to contribute to it, instead of participate. I must say I was astonished at the lack of organization and general disconcern I experienced at this event. We were asked to show up at 7am, which we did, and were efficiently directed to our posts during the race. I was appointed at the finish, and was supposed to collect the race time chips from the participants when they finished. Being a bit early i walked over to the table I was supposed to be at, when I set off the time alarm. It was pure coincidence that I was carrying an old one-time use time chip in my handbag. Well, the person responsible for time chip set up, lost it. He was completely unhinged by this, even though I apologized and explained that I was unaware of the chip in my handbag. He used crude language to explain to me (and another female colleague) how he had told off another woman at a different race who had also set off the time chip with her car keys a few times. Ok this was just the beginning, there was not finish sign or ribbon, they ran out of water all through the path and at the end point. They had no idea how many racers were signed up, and how many had finished, and in the end, nothing but 5 Zoo bucks, a t-shirt, and a thankyou e-mail was offered to the volunteers or participants. I guess I am spoiled from having recenlty participated in the Terry Fox race in Calgary, which was well organized, well stocked with food and drinks and generally gave the feeling of care and concern. It was free to boot.
SO in conclusion: I am not sure I want to participate in, or volunteer for this race next year, I might suggest you look for a free race that supports a good cause like the Terry Fox.
Written by Smriti on October 19th, 2007 with
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