The race that didn’t happen

So Mother Nature was in a mood this weekend and Sunday’s race didn’t happen. When a race director describes the conditions as “treacherous” thanks to a combination of a couple of inches of snow and 45 mph winds – I’m good with the decision to postpone the race.

What I was not good with was the email from the race director I received later that said they were not going to reschedule (as they had originally announced), but instead cancel the race! I think if you’re going to host a race in New England in February you should have contingency plans in place that account for the weather. Leaving 1,000 runners with no alternative but a $10 off next year’s registration didn’t sit well with me… and I told the director as much.  I was not looking for a refund but a good faith effort to move forward with the race and I’m just not certain that every effort was made to find a way to reschedule the race in the few hours that passed between the decision to postpone and the decision to cancel.

I’ve had a race postponed due to weather safety issues before and I remember how thrilled all of us runners were when the race was rescheduled – it was a great day out on the course and the runners literally applauded the race director and volunteers for getting it done. Needless to say I returned to run that race again the following year.

Have you ever had a race canceled? How did you feel about it?

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Comments

  1. There ended up being a horrible thunderstorm the morning of the 2011 See Jane Run race in Austin but a cancellation notice on FB/Twitter/Email never went out so everyone still showed up, hoping the thunder/lightning would subside. I was fine with running in the rain.

    While sitting in traffic to park, I was searching Twitter for an update, but their Twitter account was silent. I actually came across a tweet from a completely different company that the race had in fact been cancelled. After sitting in traffic for 45 minutes, we were finally told by a crossing guard to go home. See Jane Run sent out an email a couple hours later officially cancelling the race.

    I know the conditions were dangerous and that the race would prob be cancelled, so I was fine with that. That’s the chance we take with running races. The way it was handled is what bothered me the most. Cancellation email at 8:30am for a race that was supposed to start at 6:45? We found out from another company, not See Jane Run? So weird.

    They initially offered us a discount on the 2012 race … only to say that the race wouldn’t be returning in 2012 but would be be back in 2013 instead. The 2013 schedule was recently announced, sans Austin race. Definitely unimpressed.

  2. I’ve only had one race cancelled ever and they rescheduled the race + offered refunds or deferrals if you couldn’t make the new date.

    I get that some things are beyond the race director’s control, but they do have insurance for that stuff + why should the runners bear all the loss? I’d be kind of pissed.

  3. Knocking on wood as I type…it hasn’t happened yet. Almost had a cancellation two weeks ago when the blizzard hit, but somehow they pulled it off!

    I agree with MCM Mama, runners shouldn’t have to be the only one’s losing out.

    Hopefully someone is listening Michelle!

  4. Ugh, how frustrating and only $10 credit?! I had a half marathon cut down to 5 miles last summer due to extreme heat and a 5K cancelled for heat too.

  5. My first marathon (Chicago 2007) was cancelled when i was at mile 22. : /
    Girl I’m so bummed for you! It is such a dicey time to try to plan anything. I agree an alternate date would be ideal. I wish that would’ve happened at my trail race last week. Bummed I chose to dns but I still think it was the best choice.

  6. That’s such a bummer! And I would be annoyed, too…poor handling. Like you said, a race in New England in Feb. should come with built-in contingency plans!

  7. Around here, I think rescheduling could be too hard because there are so many events to work around. And, that close to the race, they probably have incurred most of their expenses — except maybe whatever they pay the police? I’m sure there is fine print when you sign up that covers them. If they are insured and technically coming out ahead with the cancellation that would not be right!

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