I am helping to organize a downhill race in our area. We are doing this because the usual race promoter is pulling back from doing their customary series this season. This is a grassroots event that will carry a lower entry fee ($25) compared to what we are used to paying for the promoter-run races. It will still be a NORBA event.
Now, here is my question: What do you consider 'usual and accepted' when it comes to the type of awards? Around here, it has always been custom-struck medals with the event logo on a ribbon lanyard. This is indeed a nice touch, but will probably be over the top for our intended budget. Running (foot) races around here usually give out ribbons, but it's almost a given that all the participants will also get a souvenir t-shirt as part of their entry fee.
We are also considering going only three-deep in the awards instead of 5.
What do the race promoters do in your area (especially the indies)? And if someone went the 'budget' route, did it leave you feeling short-changed? Thanks!
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Around here most of the prizes are merchandise. Hit up local stores to donate some components, glasses, camebaks etc. Then put all the prizes on the table. Go through first place in each class and let them pick a prize, then second, third, etc until you run out. Either that or go three or four deep then have a free for all for the remaining prizes. Could give out a few bucks cash to the experts instead of something off the prize table or give them the option of cash or merchandise.
Seems to keep everyone happy around here.
dminor
Around here most of the prizes are merchandise. Hit up local stores to donate some components, glasses, camebaks etc. Then put all the prizes on the table. Go through first place in each class and let them pick a prize, then second, third, etc until you run out. Either that or go three or four deep then have a free for all for the remaining prizes. Could give out a few bucks cash to the experts instead of something off the prize table or give them the option of cash or merchandise.
Seems to keep everyone happy around here.
That's comforting to know. That's actually how I wound up with a Syncros saddle last year. It was a bit unusual for around here though. See, we had the merch. as the schwag prizes (drawn at computer-generated random from the entire entrant roster) after the regular awards were given out. That would be an excellent way to keep expenses down, though; and a good way of letting the other shops be included even though ours will be title sponsor. Giving choice like that, too, helps ensure people get prizes they actually want. Oh, and we are actually going to have a cash purse for the Pros/Semi-Pros + anyone who wants to challenge them as Open entrants (and their entry fee will still be the same); that was one of our secondary goals - - to actually have a pro purse.
BoSoxYacht
The top few spots of each class should get prizes that are at least close in value to the entry-fee . Nothing sux more than winning a pair of alloy Campy toe-clips (my only cycling trophy:( ) for 3rd place in a USCF Cat 4 race . This happened to me in 1987 , 2 weeks after buying my 1st pair of clippless pedals . A gift certificate from a LBS or a manufacturer would be a lot better than a product that you don't need . Just a couple of ideas .
dminor
Absolutely - - I mean, how many **##@!! water bottles does one person need anyway?
dminor
Sorry - - either the Forums server or my connection was acting up last night. I never thought it actually posted. I've deleted the duplicates now.:o
apclassic9
re cash purse for pros - I'm here in WV with LowCel - and the cash purse is usually 100% "cash payback. got 10 pros, cash purse = $250. If you have lots of $$, you can add to the purse, but, the guarantee tends to make the pros bring thier pro buddies along. I would suggest that you advise riders that cash purses to go classes with at least 5 riders... when you forget to that, you end up with some beginner or sport rider entering an otherwise empty class just for the $$.
Also, you should approach your local trophy places about donating medals, etc., at cost as a sponsor (put them on the T-shirt), and limiting the number of T-shirts to - well, pick a number you can afford!
good luck with your race, and welcome to world of donation grubbing race volunteers!
apclassic9
More advice - take a stroll through town with your race flyer/info, and stop in at all the establishments to get gift certificates, dinner for 2 certificates, etc. Some riders have everything they need, and appreciate non-bike prizes. Some of the favorites the Appalachian Classic has offered on its prize table in past years have been rafting certificates, LowCel's family's wonderful Salsa, baseball tickets, a mini beer brewer, herbal tea gift packs, mineral salt gift packs.....
And, go to Road ID - there's a place on their web site where they will list your race, and in exchange for making thier brochure available, they will send you 10-20 certificates to give out for their ID tags.
Free advertising - Velonews listing, check Mountain Biking or Mountain bike Magazine for free listings, as well as DirtRag.
Hit up any local artisans for donations, too.
I've been collecting prize table donations for 6 years now, and things seem to be a little tight this year, but good luck!
dminor
Thanks for the further ideas, apclassic9. Funny, I was thinking the same thing about the non-bike prizes (thinking back on the kind of things I really appreciated getting). There are in particular a couple of eating places (a pizza place and a sports bar/restaurant) who have been very supportive of the Spokanbe MTB/racing scene. Gift certs from them would be excellent - - and even something the out-of-towners would appreciate (a lot of people from the Puget Sound basin - 300 miles away - make periodic pilgramages here to ride Beacon, so they get here often enough to make use of things like that)
It's a doubly-good idea about non-biking merchants, because (IMHO) that's something the customary race promoter was lax in - -getting the community outside the MTBing crowd engaged and involved. Darn, I think I'm starting to talk myself into becoming a schwag-scrounge :).
apclassic9
You could also try to talk your local SUV dealer into displaying some of thier vehicles and cooking up some post-race food - we deal with XC racers and kind of feel obligated to stick to pasta & salad (lots of vegetarians!), but with DHer's, you could probably get away with burgers & dogs! One race around here gets a sandwich shop to provide food, but lots of them use pizza shops. WV has this thing about feeding racers - the WV racers have come to expect this, but out of state racers are always shocked & surprised with the meal.
Your local Walmart will also have community event sponsorship $$ available; usually they allot $500 per month in the form of a Walmart gift card. We usually manage to get at least $100 from them, and buy stuff like camp chairs, lanterns, air mattresses...
If you plan to do this again next year, my advice is to start soliciting donations from companies in October, and hook your race to some sort of charity or park support effort; donating left over proceeds appeals to corporate givers more than just having a shop-sponsored race, where they assume the shop will keep any left over money.
dminor
We actually are going to have a BBQ (a good idea, BTW). We have it scheduled for after practice Saturday. Saturdays have traditionally been the XC race day, with the DH course being closed because the XC course crossed it in places. This time around, it's an all-gravity weekend, so the DH course will be open for official practice 10-5 on Sat. So we are throwing a post-practice dogs-'n-burgers deal.
Thanks for the tip about Wal-Mart. And a local Jeep dealer is one of our shop team's sponsors, so I think that might be easy to get them to show up with some rigs.
Definitely would have been better to get an early start on this (just like sponsorships go, really). This whole deal with no regular regional series kind of blind-sided a lot of us this year, though, so we are just trying to do the best we can to get something put together.
The race is actually mostly on Spokane City park property; and just this year our recently-formed IMBA club (which I'm also part of) adopted the property with the City's blessing for further cleanup, trail building and a well-engineered freeride stunt/skills area. Needless to say we are going to give them room to set up an information/member-solicitation booth and hopefully enlist some of the membership to volunteer for the event too. If things go well, maybe we can make it a partnership venture next year that, like you said - - could maybe help them with fund-raising. This year, we are just hoping to break even and give folks a race.