Road race

Press, 20 March 1982, Page 14

Road race

Sir.-Would the organisers of the Big M 10 km race please explain some deficiencies in organisation. Runners completing the course in approximately 42 minutes discovered two apparent finishing lines: (1) An official one and (2) a closer unofficial one created byrunners who had finished, queuing to receive their place numbers and enter them at designated tables. Runners crossing the official line did not immediately receive an official place card but had to retreat 100 metres to join the ever-growing queue where subsequent finishers were already lining up to receive incorrect, higher place numbers and race times. I also wish to make note of the scarcity of rubbish bins for depositing milk containers, and an absence of temporary toilets for race contestants. People who pay $5 to run 10 km expect better organisation, accurate times and place results, and a higher standard of facilities. — Yours, etc., JOHN P. CARTER. March 14. 1982.

Sir.-What a fiasco the Big M road race turned out to be. The start was a shambles with so many runners in a confined starting’ chute. Many were disadvantaged with overcrowding and pedestrian and vehicular traffic congestion. Some runners actually fell at the start and could not regain their feet without being trampled on. Marshals throughout the race could not be distinguished from spectators. They should have had white coals and marshal ribbons. It was observed that some runners appeared in the finishing chute without completing the three laps. Marshals tried to turn runners away at the finish apparently for not wearing correct race emblems. A runner 50 metres from the finish was tackled by three marshals and thrown over the barrier ropes. On landing the runner and his attackers hurt two innocent child onlookers. If this is to be the standard for Big M Fun Runs then I suggest the sponsorship be withdrawn. — .Yours. etc.. KEN STL’PPLES. March 14. 1982.