For more information visit the RunBig Web Site:
http://orik.com/runbig
e-mail: dbhale@uic.edu
(312) 413-2891
(312) 996-0195 fax

HOW TO ADD A SUCCESSFUL CLYDESDALE DIVISION TO YOUR RACE

Dear Race Director:

I would like to thank you for your interest in adding Clydesdale Divisions to your race and welcome you into the fastest growing segment in endurance sports, Age/Weight Divisions. The Clydesdale movement in Chicago, and nationwide continues the efforts of Joe Law, the founder of the Clydesdale Runners Association, who died in 1991, on educating athletes and race directors about the relationship between age and weight to performance in endurance sports. RunBig Chicago Clydesdales, through its affiliation with CARA, is the voice of the Chicago Clydesdale. RunBig Chicago Clydesdales follows in the path carved by Joe Law, and Dan Intemann of Clydesdale Endurance Sports. Though Joe passed away, and Dan’s organization and publication are now defunct, their pioneering efforts paved the way for organizations such as CARA, RunBig Chicago Clydesdales, and several other Clydesdale clubs and organizations around the country. We have one advantage that Joe Law and Dan Intemann didn’t—the Internet. There is now a well developed network of Clydesdale resources and links available on the World Wide Web. Please visit the RunBig Chicago Clydesdale web site for information, race results, calendar of Clydesdale events around the country, and to download this starter kit. Visit http://orik.com/runbig and see for yourself.

Our goals, simple; 1) Continue to be the voice of the Clydesdale athlete, 2) Continue our efforts in promoting Age/Weight recognition within the National Endurance Sports Community, 3) To help promote and participate the races which already have Clydesdale Divisions, and 4) Assist new races in adding successful Clydesdale Divisions.

We have created the "How To Add A Successful Clydesdale Division To Your Race" Start Kit to provide you, the Race Director, with all the information necessary for a successful inaugural Clydesdale Division. The Start Kit will assist you in selecting the Clydesdale Divisions which are best for your race, how to set up the application properly, the logistics for race results, as well as marketing and promotional ideas.

We have also included a copy of the Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA) Clydesdale Circuit rules and registration forms. We encourage you to not only add Clydesdale Divisions to your race, but to help standardize Weight/Age group competition. I feel confident that after reading the Start Kit, you will discover how Clydesdale Divisions can be beneficial to your event.

If I can be of any further assistance, or answer any of your questions, please call or e-mail.

Buck Hales
939 S Wisconsin Ave
Oak Park, IL 60304
(312) 413-2891 day
(708) 848-2992 eve
(312) 996-0195 fax
dbhale@uic.edu e-mail
http://orik.com/runbig the RunBig Chicago Web site

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS FOR ADDING A CLYDESDALE DIVISION TO OUR RACE?

Although there are many subtle benefits for adding a Clydesdale Division to your race, there are significant benefits that are common for all races large or small, national or local;

1) Recognizing The Efforts of The Clydesdale Athlete Who Already Participate In Your Race

Some time ago race directors recognized that participants in their race wanted more recognition than just the efforts of the 3 fastest finishers. They saw fit to add "Age Group" categories to their races, because they recognized that there truly was a relationship between age and performance. This now universally accepted practice accomplishes several things:

It acknowledges that these "Age Groupers" may never finish first in a race, but they are excellent athletes among their peers.

By having "Age Group Categories" they have created greater interest among the participants, who now can be recognized for their efforts.

Instead of just participating in these races they have created obtainable goals which can enhance their performance in preparing for these events.

The Age Group category was created because it was universally recognized that there was a relationship between age and performance. So is there a difference between the needs of the age group athlete and the Clydesdale athlete of today? We don't think so. The Clydesdale Division was created to recognize that there is also a relationship between weight and performance, and that these athletes should be recognized for their performance. They may never finish first in a race, but they are also excellent athletes among their peers.

Every year there are many races taking place between Clydesdales within your race. They may very well be running shoulder to shoulder and not even know they could be competing against each other in a Clydesdale category. Adding a Clydesdale Division to your race can turn this mini race into a reality and allow these athletes the opportunity to maximize their potential and be recognized for their efforts.

2) Keeping your hard earned entrants year after year

With the growth in Clydesdale Division available at races, sooner or later it's going to happen. The Clydesdale athlete may have to make a choice between your race which they attend year after year or participate in another race which has added a Clydesdale Division. In some areas of the country such as New York, Maryland and Pennsylvania races are adding Clydesdale Divisions to keep their loyal entrants each year, and compete with the other races that have added Clydesdale Divisions. Each Clydesdale athlete will only run in so many races per year and will look first to area races with Clydesdale Divisions. By adding a Clydesdale Division you will insure these athletes do not register for other area races.

3) Attract new entrants to your race

Although endurance sports events are at an all time high in popularity, many races indicate their registrations are lower than previous years. By adding a Clydesdale Division you will not only see an increase in new registrations, but Clydesdale Divisions attract more entrances than many of your existing age group categories. As you read through the enclosed issue of Clydesdale Endurance Sports, you will see that many of the races boost more than 5% of the total entrants of the race. When a quality race such as Marine Corp Marathon can attract over ,I thousand Clydesdales to their race. The number of athletes interested in Weight Divisions is substantial. Running Times Magazine called Weight Divisions "the fastest growing segment in endurance sports" and find thousands of athletes are being introduced to Weight Divisions and we have created a new untapped pool of athletes looking for Clydesdale Divisions. By adding a Clydesdale Division you will be adding the bottom line, new registrations.

4) Better to be the first than the last

The earliest races that were progressive enough to include Clydesdale Divisions are now the best attended Clydesdale races. Each year they have seen an increase in the attendees for their Clydesdale Division. If your race is in an area that is not well populated with Clydesdale races., this will give you an opportunity to be the first and continue to get loyal support from area Clydesdales as other races jump on the band wagon.

ARE THERE STANDARD WEIGHT DRVISIONS USED FOR CLYDESDALE DIVISONS?

Yes, there are standard weight divisions which were created by the Clydesdale Runners Association in 1987. Although these weight divisions are by no means cast in stone, these are the most common used weight divisions. Clydesdale athletes train to compete against others in these specific categories. The CARA Clydesdale Circuit has established 8 weight/age divisions for men and women. However, as Race Director, you have to choose the best combination of age and weight group divisions for your race.

CARA Clydesdale Circuit Divisions:

* Open up to 39, masters 40 years and older.

III. DO CLYDESDALE DIVISIONS ALSO HAVE AGE CATEGORIES LIKE AGE GROUP RACES?

Most races will have a combination of Age/Weight Divisions for Clydesdale athletes. It is recognized that for Clydesdales, like age groupers, there is also a relationship between age and performance. We recommend that you offer at a minimum an open and masters (40+) divisions. This format will attract a larger number of Clydesdale athletes to your event. It would be understandable to only offer open divisions if you are offering numerous weight divisions or are experimenting with one Clydesdale Division in your first year race.

We would like to encourage you to expand the Clydesdale Divisions offered from year to year with the addition of different age/weight categories.

IV. WHICH AGE/WEIGHT DMSIONS SHOULD I USE FOR MY RACE?

Now that you are aware of the standard weight and age categories in most Clydesdale Divisions, which combination to choose has to be based on the flexibility the race director has in offering multiple awards. We have listed below some combinations that may give you a place to start:

1) At A Minimum

Men:
200lbs & Over; Open & 40+

Women:
140lbs & Over; Open & 40+

2) Best Bang for Your Buck

Men:
185-199lbs.; Open& 40
+200lbs & Over; Open & 40+

Women:
140lbs & Over; Open & 40+

3) Make Everybody Happy

Men:
170-184lbs;
Open Only
185-199lbs;
Open Only
200-224lbs
Open Only
225lbs & Over; Open Only

Women:
140-154lbs
Open Only
155lbs & Over; Open Only

V. SHOUI,D I HAVE A WEIGH-IN OR USE THE HONOR SYSTEM; WHICH MAKES MORE SENSE FOR OUR RACE?

Although we believe that all weight division races should have weigh-ins wherever possible, your decision to utilize a weigh-in or the honor system has to be the choice of the race director and best fits their race. Some factors to consider in your decision:

1. Do I have sufficient time prior to the start time to conduct the weigh-in?

2. Do I have an area volunteer (possibly a local Clydesdale Athlete) to conduct the weigh-in?

3. Do I have sufficient volunteers to logistically handle a weigh-in?

Please keep in mind that the most important issue is to create a Clydesdale Division for your race and of secondary importance is whether that race has a weigh-in or an honor system.

VI. WHAT TYPES OF RACES DO YOU GENERALLY SEE UTILIZING WEIGH-INS?

Generally, races with Weigh-ins come in all sizes, but listed below are some common features of weigh-in races:

1. Larger races, very often national races (Marine Corps Marathon, Columbus Marathon, Portland Marathon) who anticipate large Clydesdale registrations.

A member of a local running group and/or a Clydesdale Athlete has volunteered in advance to administer the weigh-in and remove this as a concern of the race director.

Races that have a time period prior to race day for registration pick up (i.e. Carbo Loading Party, Expo, Triathlon Pre Race Meeting) to conduct the weigh-in.

Veteran Clydesdale races that have become more accustomed to weight divisions in their races and would like to create greater "Hype" for their event.

VII. WHAT TYPES OF RACES DO YOU SEE USING THE HONOR SYSTEM?

Generally, there is no specific criteria, but listed blow are some of the common features:

First time races who would like to include a weight division, but would like to minimize logistical issues the first year.

Smaller local races where many of the participants compete against each other on a regular basis.

Veteran races who have had success with the honor system and see no reason to change.

VIII. IF I CHOOSE TO HAVE A WEIGH-IN, HOW DO I DO IT?

First, you must clearly state on the application that you are having a weigh-in and the time it will be taking place.

Example #1

All Clydesdales must weigh-in to be eligible. The weigh-in will take place the day of the race between 7-9:00 A.M.

Example #2

All Clydesdales must weigh-in to be eligible. The weigh-in will take place at the carbo loading party between 6-8:00 P.M. There will be no day of the race weigh-ins.

Designate an area with a table, scale, and a sign stating "Weigh-in". Provide the volunteer with a list of all pre-registered entrants and their entry forms.

If you are planning to have day of the race registration use the procedure that applies below:

Manual Race Results

Have the athlete complete an entry form.

Send them to the weigh-in area.

If they make the weight, add their name to the appropriate division list.

If they do not make the weight, correct the entry to indicate them as an age group participant.

In both cases, send the athlete back to the day of the race registration table for payment.

Computerized Race Results

Have the athlete complete the entry form, and collect their bib number.

Send them to the weigh-in area.

Record their weight, then enter them into the computer as a "Clydesdale". Have the weigh-in volunteers record the athletes weight, their bib-number, name, and which weight division they will be competing in.

If you are having a mandatory weigh-in, athletes who do not weigh-in and have their data recorded, will not be counted as a weight division competitor, but will compete as an age group competitor.

4. Please allow only I weigh-in attempt. We adamantly oppose encouraging athletes to significantly increase their weight in a short period of time. Besides obvious health reasons, it is unfair to athletes who regularly maintain their weight in the appropriate division.

5. Have the athletes weigh-in in their race attire, shoes are fine, but optional.

6. After the weigh-in period is over, the volunteer should do the following:

Computerized Entry:

For all the athletes who had pre-registered and did not make the weight or did not weigh-in, these athletes must he corrected in the computer system. Please advise the race management team that these individuals must be moved to their appropriate age group category in the computer system.

Manual Entry:

For all the athletes who had registered and did not make weight or did not weigh-in, review their entry form for their age and add their name to the list in the appropriate age group category.

7. Please leave sufficient time between the end of the weigh-in period and the start of the race for these minor, but necessary changes. Clydesdales are accustomed to coming for a weigh-in earlier than other athletes. You do not want to create any negative feelings about weight divisions with your volunteers and your race management team before the race even starts, if you should run short of time.

IX. IF I USE THE HONOR SYSTEM, IS THERE ANYTHING I NEED TO KNOW?

The Honor System for weight divisions is the same as they are for age groups. Although you would not ask for a birth certificate to prove someone's age, believe it or not, people are not always accurate about their weight. You would think that individuals wouldn't make themselves 10 pounds heavier to win a 10 dollar award and to hear their name announced as the winner, but they do. Although it is rare and very often an innocent miscalculation, and rarely affects the outcome of the race, it happens. For instance, an individual administering a weigh-in at a major marathon told me nearly 10% of the weighed in athletes did not make the weight stated on the application.

We suggest for these rare instances this may happen that you include the following statement in your applications:

"All Clydesdale award winners are subject to weigh-in."

X. THE BEST WAY TO SET UP THE APPLICATION TO PRODUCE THE WHAT IS BEST RESULTS?

How the application is set up can mean the difference between no entrants and as much as 15-20% of your total registrations. The following simple steps and examples will help you produce the best desired turn out:

1) State how deep in each division you will be giving out Clydesdale awards. Clydesdales will assume they will be treated the same as age group athletes unless otherwise stated. if your plans are different for weight divisions, state it in the awards section of the application or you will have some disappointed athletes at the award ceremony.

2) If you are going to add a Clydesdale Division, make it very visible in the application, and don't hide it. Emphasis this new division in your application:

"New Clydesdale Division"

Use the uniform term "Clydesdale Division"

Feel free to use the uniform logo for Clydesdale Divisions on your application which can be easily recognized by athletes

Clydesdale athletes took long and hard at applications for new Clydesdale Divisions, so don't hide it.

3) Very often some of the Clydesdale athletes will also be eligible for age group awards. Although it is purely the choose of the race director, it is very difficult to administer 2 divisions for one athlete. We suggest that if you register as a Clydesdale you should only be eligible for Clydesdale awards. We suggest you state the following language on the application:

"A Clydesdale is not eligible for duplicate awards"

4) Make sure the tear off entry form has a check off section for the athlete to enter the Clydesdale Division. We have seen many applications that have a great announcement for the new Clydesdale Division only to have neglected a check off on the tear off entry form. If it is left blank, Clydesdales will have no way to enter the division.

If they decide to participate in the race anyway, they will be in the age group categories. They will be disappointed when no awards are given, as well as the race director disappointed in what he sees, apparently no Clydesdales. By simply neglecting the check off section on the entry can result in no Clydesdales attending your race.

There are several different check offs you can use:

Clydesdale________ Weight_________

Using this example the athletes simply checks off Clydesdale and enters his weight. When determining the appropriate Age/Weight Division, you would simply look at the weight and age stated on the application.

Clydesdale Division.

A___ B___ C___ D___ Open___ Masters___

If you have enough space on your entry form, this type of check off or circling is very easy for the athlete as well as your race management team.

XI. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO SET UP THE RACE RESULTS AND WHAT ARE SOME COMMON MISTAKES?

The first thing to remember is to set up each separate Age/Weight Division as a separate category in your system. Manual or by computer, if you have six separate Age/Weight Divisions you need to have six separate categories, because you will be presenting awards in each of them.

For Example:

Division Category

Men 185-199/39 & Under A
Men 185-199/40 & Over AA
Men 200+/39 & Under B
Men 200+/40 & Over BB
Women 150+/39 & Under C
Women 150+/40 & Over CC

If you utilize a computer race management team, they will be able to easily prepare results at the same time they do for age groupers. On the computer, race results are easily sorted by age division, and sex, thus you only need to designate a category for each weight division. For manual results, separate categories for each division are required.

All too often at first year races the race management team does not designate separate categories. It is only at the end of the race when they realize that the Clydesdale entrants are mixed in with the age group results. It then takes significant effort to manually prepare.

XII. HOW SHOULD I HANDLE THE CLYDESDALE WINNERS AT THE AWARDS CEREMONY?

All athletes, whether Clydesdale or Age Groupers want to be recognized for their efforts. We suggest you announce the Clydesdale winners between the men's and women's results. This accomplished 2 things:

1) Allows an athlete to be recognized while individuals are still at the awards ceremony.

2) Help educate the non Clydesdale athlete on the effort of these individuals, who may very well communicate to their friends who are Clydesdales of the success of your event. By taking this suggestion, you will make the last impression of the race the best impression for the Clydesdale athlete.

XIII. NOW THAT WE ARE HAVING A CLYDESDALE DMSION, HOW DO I GET THE WORD OUT AND WHAT ARE THE BEST WAYS TO MARKET MY NEW DIVISION?

If you also advertise in sports publications, newspapers, etc. include in your ad that you are having a new Clydesdale Division. Feel free to use the Clydesdale Divisions Logo in this kit to advertise your new Clydesdale Divisions. Clydesdale athletes read these publications and look for races with weight divisions. Make sure you include it in your standard ad.

We hope the start kit is helpful in establishing weight divisions in your race. We wish you much success, and I appreciate your efforts in supporting the growth of Clydesdale Weight Divisions.

The Race That's Good For Life proudly presents "Clydesdale" Weight Divisions. Our race is the flag ship event for Clydesdales in Chicagoland. We introduced Clydesdale Weight Divisions to our race in 1994 and have offered awards to Clydesdale athletes each subsequent year. In 1997 we had over 100 Clydesdale athletes, men and women, who competed in the Race That’s Good For Life. We have experienced a 15-20% increase in our race due Clydesdale participants and have experienced a tremendous positive response. We urge all race directors to include weight divisions in their competition. We believe that the competition should be for everyone, and weight divisions are as important as age group divisions in our race. The CARA Clydesdale Circuit started in 1995. Over 150 athletes from all over Chicagoland area participate in the CARA Clydesdale Circuit. We encourage all interested runners to contact CARA and participate in the CARA Clydesdale Circuit. For more informatin about the Race That’s Good For Life and our experience with Clydesdale Weight Divisions, please contact Buck Hales and visit the Oak Park Runners Club web site. For more information about the CARA Clydesdale Circuit contact David Patt at the CARA office, and visit the RunBig Chicago Clydesdale web site.

Buck Hales
939 S Wisconsin Ave
Oak Park, IL 60304
(312) 413-2891 day
(708) 848-2992 eve
(312) 996-0195 fax
dbhale@uic.edu e-mail
http://orik.com/runbig the RunBig Chicago Web site
http://orik.com home of the Oak Park Runners Club and Race That’s Good For Life

David Patt
Chicago Area Runner’s Association
203 N WABASH, SUITE 1104
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 666-9836 voice
(312) 781-1736 fax
CARAruns@aol.com e-mail
http://cararuns.org web site