Refilling cups can be done relatively quickly , but they remain impractical for running events
In essence , the problems experienced with the refreshment tables boil down to a lack of experience with runner flow . This was also a factor in several of the other challenges faced by the event , such as the long queues to enter registration , and the equally frustrating , and potentially dangerous , exit from the finish .
All About People Flow
Many assumed that the long registration queue was caused by a poor number collection process , while in fact the delay was actually related to the design and space requirement of a smaller expo than in previous years . For this 2023 race , the number of entries went back up to pre-COVID levels , but the number of expo exhibitors decreased , so a smaller total space in the CTICC was used for the expo . Meanwhile , many runners brought family and friends with them to the expo , and putting the Blue Number area inside the main hall , further reducing space , resulted in a high percentage of people staying in the expo hall . This number eventually exceeded the limit permitted under Disaster Management regulations , and thus the CTICC staff closed the doors and prevented more people being allowed to proceed into registration , resulting in the long queues going around the block .
Given the amount of money that stand-holders pay to be able to exhibit and sell at the expo , it is unreasonable to limit or force runners out of the hall . The organisers were therefore caught between a rock and a hard place : Suffer the wrath of exhibitors and runners , or risk being shut down by the authorities . Ironically , the separation of number collection , exhibition , and gathering areas for Blue Numbers and internationals had been learnt and implemented over a decade previously , but appears to have been lost , or ignored , in current times .
Several lessons were learnt in the 2023 Two Oceans about the flow of people
Similarly , the situation experienced when finishers attempted to leave the field after receiving their medal and drink , particularly after Sunday ’ s half marathon , could have been avoided , because the finishing rate was highly predictable , as was the gathering of family and friends around the only exit point . If anything , this should have been identified , and corrected , by the safety and events authorities long before race day . The very idea of pushing a supposed 17,000 runners through a three-metre gap in a two-hour period should have been a red flag right from day one . Even with the curve flattening of wave starts , flows in excess of 300 tired runners per minute were predictable , with easily thousands of supporters blocking the exit on either side . In all of these cases , it was the number of people that caught the event organisers out .
Plan For Success
Ironically , the Two Oceans event was once renowned for its refreshment stations , but unless the organisers ’ ears are open to constructive criticism and advice , and lessons learnt in years past , the reputational pendulum could end up at the other end of the arc . I feel that the planning for this year ’ s event lacked neither enthusiasm nor commitment , but rather perhaps experience in managing such large numbers , and this impacted on the runners ’ experience of the refreshment stations … which begs the question , have the lessons and knowledge of more than 50 years of the event been forgotten ? After all , the event attracted even bigger numbers pre-COVID .
It is no secret that several experienced hands who served on the Two Oceans organisational team or on the Board have moved on in recent years , for various reasons , which has shown once again that succession planning and training are vitally important . I believe that the visible improvements from 2022 to 2023 have gone some way to addressing that , but it is vital that the Two Oceans organisers engage with the runners , and look to past experience and expertise , in order to improve still more , to maintain the high standards and traditions of this great event , and take the race into a modern era .
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 ( Everyman ’ s Guide to Distance Running and Every Beginner ’ s Guide to Walking & 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 .
Images : Tobias Ginsberg
34 ISSUE 158 | www . modernathlete . co . za