There were dire predictions for the weather yesterday as a cold front penetrated into the Panhandle of Texas and Saturday was cold and gray and miserable. Marathon and half Marathon runners were probably planning layers and steeling themselves for a miserable time. But by the time the sun got up Sunday was glorious and these runners, who have almost reached the halfway point of the race (about a block from our house) were down to basics.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Cold Front Stalled
There were dire predictions for the weather yesterday as a cold front penetrated into the Panhandle of Texas and Saturday was cold and gray and miserable. Marathon and half Marathon runners were probably planning layers and steeling themselves for a miserable time. But by the time the sun got up Sunday was glorious and these runners, who have almost reached the halfway point of the race (about a block from our house) were down to basics.
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This marathon and 1/2 marathon was terrible. The website and chip-tracking feature advertised didnt work because the website was completely overrun (nice job AT&T Broadband). The lack of photographers on the course was pathetic. I did get on the website after the race and 80-85% of teh comments were completely negative - which is probably why the main page and message board have been replaced - deal with it folks - you blew this one!!! We won't be back to Austin.
ReplyDeleteSorry, anonymous, that you had an unpleasant experience. I have nothing to do with AT&T or the race except, of course, that we had to restrict driving certain places from our homes to have the closed course. My husband helped man a water station. He arrived downtown before six and worked until after nine. I doubt anyone took his photo either! I will edit my few photos from just before mile 13 just in case some of those runners deprived of photos can find them.
ReplyDeleteSorry you won't be back to Austin. As someone who doesn't run but lives in the thick of these run courses, I'm sure, however, that many will and that we will take the inconvenience in stride.
Wow-- I guess our blog has a bigger following than I would have imagined!
ReplyDeleteOh well, venting is a good thing.
A non-profit board I'm on agreed to man a water station and I signed up to help.
Yeah, I had to arise at 4:30 to be sufficiently scrubbed and caffeinated so I could get downtown by 5:30. Then I helped with pouring and stacking several hundred cups of water. (Which was actually an interesting exercise.)
All the people who were grabbing our proffered cups of water seemed to be grateful for them, to be honest and at least at our post, everyone seemed to be in good spirits.
And I was greatly impressed with the efficiency of the crews who zipped in and picked up the porta-Johns and tables when all the runners had passed.
I have no idea about the electronic systems or what was being promised in that regard.
But going to this much trouble to encourage people to get out and exercise is pretty nice in my book.
Sorry you had a bad taste in your mouth. Like Linda says, I'll imagine the marathons will continue and since we'll be living downtown soon, we'll keep on being in the thick of them.
Don't worry Linda...other people will come to Austin because after all, Marathons are not the only thing interesting in Austin.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work girl!
I suppose that is one good thing to have people complaining, it makes your blog very GENUINE!
ReplyDeleteI mentioned this post and the complaints to my son, who ran his 3rd Austin marathon last Sunday. He had a great run and would like to thank those water station volunteers - so thank you, Forrest.
ReplyDeleteAnnie at the Transplantable Rose
I intentionally scrambled the signal in all locations where we we clandestinely watched anonymous in Austin . . . . so he wouldn't return.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, didn't you notice our little cameras on all the street signals?