I can absolutely guarantee that the race director did not wish to receive the packets for a certain number of racers later than expected. It is unfortunate that some people were inconvenienced by not being able to get their packet and be able to put everything in place then night before the race. I can agree that getting up a little earlier than planned to get the packet before the race was a bit of a bummer, but it was a horrible thing. (Heck, I had to do it too because I signed up so late. So I was in that boat.) And stating you spoke to someone who told you the packets could be picked up earlier than stated to the very people who would have answered any such email or phone call, just makes you look like a liar and will not help the situation at all. There I go digressing again.
My point is that for the vast majority of the time, races are put on by people who love the sport and are not doing it solely to make a buck. (Although profiting is not a bad thing. I am not against that in theory, but I am when it is at the expense of the race experience. Here, I am most assuredly casting my gaze in a couple music-friendly places.) These people want runners to have a good time because they are usually runners themselves. I also understand that as the squeaky wheel gets the grease, it can be a few Bitchy VonMoaners who can make it seem like everyone is complaining. So, let me say that there were plenty of people in both races who had nothing but positive things to say. In fact, a good friend named Andrew, who I ran into at the half-marathon, was in second place until he was either guided the wrong way or missed a turn on his own. Easily running two-plus miles of extra distance, UP a hill mind you, he had every reason to be unhappy. When I found him after the race he simply shrugged and said, “Got a good long run in today.”
Moral of the story? Whenever possible, be an Andrew not a Mr. or Mrs. VonMoaner. And volunteer at a race.
