ASKING THE QUESTION
C o l u m n are no longer about improved performance , but about the social aspect .
Sadly , many clubs are struggling to break even with their events , let alone make a reasonable profit for their club funds , as there are so many races that we are splitting the numbers of committed runners . That is why I say the sport needs to consider fewer events that can attract larger fields – perhaps by clubs combining forces to host events together – or we need more innovative events that can attract multiple communities . But what is clear is that unless we do something to change the current situation , the sport will not flourish , and it will be the clubs and the runners who lose out , because they are the ones hit by these financial challenges .
Structure of The Sport
If we consider the three big participation sports of running , cycling and triathlon , we see a well-structured system that effectively requires the events to be ‘ sanctioned ’ by the federations if they are to have any meaning in terms of personal performance , and in many cases , for the local authorities to approve them being held on public property . Although this is not a requirement in most other countries , it is something to be cherished in South Africa . To a large degree , having events hosted by clubs and sanctioned by provincial and national bodies ensures safety , standards and regulations , as well as recognition of performances .
We should also recognise that this structure is key to the sustainability of each of the sport federations . While many countries rely on government grants for their elite athletes , and their basic recreation health funding , such a model is not reasonable in South Africa , where the economy is battling to sustain basic essential services , and the unemployment level is over 40 %.
The sport of running has been designed to be self-sustainable , with a percentage of entry fees and a race application fee contributing to the provincial budgets . The license numbers that all runners wear in official races , which are sponsored in exchange for branding , are also a major contribution to the federations ’ budgets , and hence the reason for the insistence of them being visibly worn along with any race number supplied by the organisers .
When these license numbers were initially issued , they were effectively both a running number and a membership card . In past years , only a select few major events would offer their own race numbers , but with the advent of greater sponsorships ( and branding rights or opportunities ), and more recently ‘ chip on bib timing ’ ( which created a need to have somewhere to stick the timing chip ), the use of individual race numbers has become prolific . However , it ’ s easy to see why the ASA running number branding must be seen , and I believe there remains an easy way for race organisers to make an instant saving by using a single strip of branding that will fit in the blank box below the number and timers simply attach the chip to this section . This would allow each runner to use their national licence number for every race , which in turn has many benefits , including cost-cutting .
Clubs Must Drive Change
Rethinking our sport is becoming more important if clubs and their members are to benefit , but this will need to be driven at club level . Look again at the sustainability structure : Provinces get their money from selling temporary licenses , a percentage of entry fees , and fixture fees , while the national federation is funded largely by race license branding and sponsors . Whether there are more or fewer races , the provinces and national federation are unlikely to lose out , because there are roughly the same number of licenses sold . In other words , whether its 10 races with 1000 runners or one race with 10,000 runners , the percentage of entry fee will not change dramatically .
It then becomes clear that it is the clubs , through provincial council meetings and AGMs , that have the power to redefine how events evolve to become profitable . The answers and options are relatively simple :
• Entries need to be cheaper in this economy .
• That requires bigger numbers in each race , which means fewer races .
• Bigger numbers make sponsorship more attractive and valuable .
• There is a need to create events that cater more for the recreational participant , in order to increase numbers .
• Events that mix differing communities create greater interaction and increased particaption .
It ’ s all a numbers game , and if the clubs can get it right , then the entire sport will grow and benefit . Now turn to the next page for an interesting case study of an event that I think is doing just that .
About the Author
Norrie represented Scotland and Great Britain in numerous ultra-distance events , then represented South Africa in triathlon . He is a World Athleticsaccredited coach and course measurer , and travels all over the world to work on events , including the Olympics . He has been appointed by World Athletics as Technical Delegate to a number of the world ’ s leading Label events in Africa , Asia and the Middle East . He has authored two books on running , and counts 20 Comrades medals amongst his more than 150 ultra-marathon medals , as well as multiple wins at distances from 100km to 1000km . You can read more from him at www . coachnorrie . co . za .
While the Comrades gets around 20,000 entries each year , many races struggle to survive with around 1000
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