I have two reports to make to the board!

[ Helvetia Library AED ]

In my capacity as the Helvetia Library Director, I am very happy to report that the Snowshoe Foundation fully funded our project to buy and install an AED.

It's been purchased, it's sitting on my desk in the Library, and Willie Lehmann's going to drill a hole in the side of the building to install it once the weather breaks. That will be a resource that's in the community for any future runs we have in Helvetia. My board of trustees asked me to express their surprise and gratitude to WVMTR for our $750 pledge of support, and also that they are glad they won't need to call in that chit. (I'm glad, too.)

[ WV Winter Solstice Endurance Run Summary ]

In my capacity as RD for WV WSER, I want to report how the run went this year and the effect of our budget of club money.

There were no injuries or really urgent safety problems. Everyone on the wait list got a chance to register. Likely because of the weather, it was much more of a running event than a Christmas party this year. Comparing the two by the numbers,

• 2024 [2025]
  • Approximate Low Temp: 11F [33F]
  • Time: 14:32:00 [14:33:00] 
  • Total Distance Run: 667 mi [1052.7 mi]
  • Total Laps Run: 230 [363]
  • Starting Runners: 25 [35]
  • Runners Running At Least 50 km: 7 (28.0%) [19 (54.3%)]
  • Average Laps per Runner: 9.2 [10.4]
  • Average Approximate Distance per Runner: 26.7 mi [30.1 mi]

Runners and crew and townsfolk were all extremely kind with their praise for the event, even among each other and not just sayin' nice things to me.

Between generous runner contributions and modest Hall use fees, we were able to write a check to the Helvetia Restoration and Development Organization for some $970. That is a little more than last year. HRDO President Clara Lehmann asked me to express her gratitude and happy surprise: this is a very low effort event for her and for the HRDO that makes an impact, and she is grateful to the club and our runners for it. Swiss Roots Inn sold out for the weekend, which is not a direct donation in the same way but Kevin Betler was also very grateful.

I increased the age limit to 18+ this year; I believe that helped to tamp down on some frankly dangerous sibling rivalry. In future, I will also advertise that dogs are not allowed in the Red Hall.

Three of four course records were broken:

• Donald Marsh broke his own course record for most laps run for men with 21 laps (!),
• Katherine Pugliese set a new women's course record most laps record with 19 laps (1 more than the CR for most laps before Donald broke it!),
• Sophia Gibby set a new course record for women's fastest lap in 24:56, which was also this year's fastest lap overall (!)

I felt that two entrants were out of their depth and / or got the wrong idea of the event. They completed two laps together in about 4 hours. They got back down unaided, but they both looked totally worn out and totally freaked out. It was iPhone flashlights and city kicks for a lot of that. It was a real worry for me until I knew they were back and were not going to do more distance.

One entrant slept some in the night, then chose to carry on to reach their distance goal after the event ended and we closed the Hall. They traversed the trail again, then once more but also bushwhacking through private property adjacent to the right of way, and finally went to Pickens and back on the hard road. Upon returning, they found themselves without aid or resources. They went knocking on doors for water and an internet connection to upload their run to Strava. I'm not sure what, if anything, to do about this kind of thing: it feels to me like a bad look for the club and the event, it's not good for possible insurance liability exposure, and I was personally mortified (even though I got lucky and the door they knocked on Willie Lehmann's). I was focused on cleaning up and not aware of the entrant's plans, but between seeing the hall getting closed down and the posted end time, they must have known that it wouldn't be available to them. Even if I did know what was happening, after the event ends I'm not sure I'm in a position of any kind of authority any more.

This year's event sounds like a success. (Minus the last part.)  Once both our girls are over 18, if you're still hosting we may just pay a visit.  

Ian, you're simply experiencing the normal life of a race director.  There are always a few people that in way over their head, make very questionable decisions, and are simply a liability.  Rules, course marking, and all the other safety nets are in place for those people, but there's always one or two that it's not enough.  Makes you wonder how they navigate everyday life . . .

Thanks for the run report Ian. Really fascinating to see the year-over-year comparison and how this event is growing. Hope you stay encouraged to keep it up! And great insights about the risk management/liability. It sounds like you set everything up with clear communication and expectations, and it seems some folks think they are above/beyond the rules. Nerve-wracking for you, but in the end it seems they have to assume their own risk for going off script.

Amazing win on the AED! That is a great asset for Helvetia in general as well as these events and a great way to leverage the Snowshoe Foundation's funds for good.

I suppose this is a different item of new business that doesn't necessarily need to stay within the board, but I'd like to get some perspective from experienced race directors/fun run directors before proceeding.

Now that I've joined the ranks of parenthood I'm contemplating the idea of a family friendly fun run that includes a stroller component as well as shorter run distances for kids. I'm picturing something that would be very entry-level for those who are perhaps new to running themselves or want to get their younger kids excited about running. So it would likely need to be a rail trail or paved park loops. Was hoping to get some perspective or cautions/considerations before fleshing out the idea with a fun run application.

My questions for this group:

- Would this be appealing to our current membership, which tends to be more experienced runners?

- Ideas on how to use an event like this to bridge the gap between the non-running partners, friends, and kids of club members, or get newbies interested in running? How could we promote this as a membership recruitment event?

- Special considerations that parents (especially of babies/toddlers) would be looking for that I haven't thought of?

- Recommendations of club members I could reach out to who might be interested in helping me set up an event like this? 

Posted by: @acasseday

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Ian, you're simply experiencing the normal life of a race director.  There are always a few people that in way over their head, make very questionable decisions, and are simply a liability.  Rules, course marking, and all the other safety nets are in place for those people, but there's always one or two that it's not enough.  Makes you wonder how they navigate everyday life . . .

Thank you, Adam. I do enjoy it and it felt about normal to me, but it's also good to know that the little bumps sound normal to you with far far more experience than I've got. And it seems right to get this sort of report "read into the minutes" for posterity / just in case.

Posted by: @emilyjhuguenin

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Thanks for the run report Ian. Really fascinating to see the year-over-year comparison and how this event is growing. Hope you stay encouraged to keep it up! And great insights about the risk management/liability. It sounds like you set everything up with clear communication and expectations, and it seems some folks think they are above/beyond the rules. Nerve-wracking for you, but in the end it seems they have to assume their own risk for going off script.

 

Amazing win on the AED! That is a great asset for Helvetia in general as well as these events and a great way to leverage the Snowshoe Foundation's funds for good.

Thanks, Emily. 🙂

Posted by: @emilyjhuguenin

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I suppose this is a different item of new business that doesn't necessarily need to stay within the board, but I'd like to get some perspective from experienced race directors/fun run directors before proceeding.

Now that I've joined the ranks of parenthood I'm contemplating the idea of a family friendly fun run that includes a stroller component as well as shorter run distances for kids. I'm picturing something that would be very entry-level for those who are perhaps new to running themselves or want to get their younger kids excited about running. So it would likely need to be a rail trail or paved park loops. Was hoping to get some perspective or cautions/considerations before fleshing out the idea with a fun run application.

My questions for this group:

- Would this be appealing to our current membership, which tends to be more experienced runners?

- Ideas on how to use an event like this to bridge the gap between the non-running partners, friends, and kids of club members, or get newbies interested in running? How could we promote this as a membership recruitment event?

- Special considerations that parents (especially of babies/toddlers) would be looking for that I haven't thought of?

- Recommendations of club members I could reach out to who might be interested in helping me set up an event like this? 

Cool idea, Emily!

I've gone on quite a few stroller runs with multi-time Highlands Sky finishers and with sub-2:50 road marathon runners! People have kids and still wanna run, and not every run needs to be Hardcore To The Max™ to be a good outing or build community. I think this flavor of event sounds great and would be a good way to get the club's name out there in a new way, and to have old faces mix with new ones.

Probably the first step is to pick a spot that has a couple of loops of runs that feel right to you and feel like they'd hit the different demographics you're looking for and also a date. (Just for reference as far as using this one particular resource to get the potential word out, the next two newsletters will go out on 20 March and 21 June.)

@emilyjhuguenin, sound like a wonderful WVMTR Fun Run in the works!  My advice would be just to plan something, keep it simple, and simply give it a go.

@ianvoysey the newsletter publication dates are super helpful! How far in advance would you ideally like content?

I’ll keep ruminating on this idea, and if I decide to do it this year, I’m thinking of doing a late summer date, so I’d aim for the June newsletter. Since it would likely be short distance the summer heat may not be too much of a deterrent. 

@emilyjhuguenin, if you decide to do it, all that you need to do is to circle back to all of us on the board -- via email -- to approve the plan for the club-supported fun-run.  I hope you go for it.  It's all reward and really no risk!

Posted by: @emilyjhuguenin

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@ianvoysey the newsletter publication dates are super helpful! How far in advance would you ideally like content?

I’ll keep ruminating on this idea, and if I decide to do it this year, I’m thinking of doing a late summer date, so I’d aim for the June newsletter. Since it would likely be short distance the summer heat may not be too much of a deterrent. 

No spoilers here, but the newsletter dates are the solstice+equinox dates.

Usually if I have whatever info from whoever a week or so in advance, it's all good. The summer one I'll add to the night after Highlands Sky, so I could squeak you in then for instance, but I don't like doing that to myself. I prefer to have it all buttoned up and scheduled to send a few days out.

@emilyjhuguenin I love this idea! I will say I don't see any issues with doing a beginner friendly race even though most of our club is "experienced." I have 2 thoughts on that.

1. Although I personally have run a handful of ultras, I (because of kid life) could not run a 10K right now, so even if our members are "experienced" it doesn't mean we are all ready to run long today. This would give members like me a chance to get back in a WVMTR event and feel at home! 

2. Having a beginner friendly event could be the catalyst to someone's running career! My dad started doing 5ks when he was 250lbs and look at him now. Hosting an event that is really intentional in making beginners comfortable is a terrific idea and could boost our membership like you said. 

Other thoughts-

I have and will always be a back of the pack runner, and i think something WVMTR does uniquely well is making the last runner feel as special as the first. I have run races put on by other organizations that have frankly made me feel like they wish I wouldn't have been there at all. One time the finish line photographer & videographer just quit after the middle of the pack finished. This race was my first 15K and I was so proud of myself. When I went to check the pictures and video of the finish line and realized it cut off before I made it there I felt really stupid.Comparing that experience to finishing in the last 10 mins of HS40 and there being a rowdy crowd screaming for me is what makes WVMTR really special to a lot of slow runners. I think this event you are picturing is another way WVMTR can continue to support runners of all kinds. This feels special. I think ultras can feel intimidating to non traditional ultra runners (like me) because it can bring on some imposter syndrome when you don't look or perform like the top of the pack, so creating a space focused on families and beginners could really bring some new faces out. 

This is completely unnecessary and extra (as the kids say), but it could be fun to have kid centric aid stations with the adult ones. I'm thinking juice boxes, gummy worms, and puffs?? Just to really hone in on the family friendly aspect. You could also do a short kids only run. I use to LIVE for those when I was growing up at races. I loved the fun run for kids at the Helvetia 10k and still have a trophy I won! 

You could also try to host in a place that also has a playground so there's more for families to do? Sprinklers?

I don't want to commit to planning it with you, but I would love to support you on this as much as I can. My job and Forrest's dr appts take up so much time I don't want to half ass helping you but I think this is a really special idea. 

Lauren I love all your insights! I agree, I first discovered WVMTR at a shorter run that was a long distance for me at the time (Dirty Dog) and it was the welcoming spirit that made me want to continue trail running and join the club. 

Love the idea of kid friendly snacks at aid stations. I'm also thinking some sort of inexpensive finisher medal or trophy would be important especially for the kids.