The role of race director has many parallels to training for an ultra. Directing a race can be a time consuming and frustrating process and at times, it can test your patience and passion. I find that I often need to employ the same psychological tricks and techniques that I would for training and racing an ultra to race directing. However, one of the biggest motivators is remembering my “why”– keeping in touch with the reasons I choose to direct multiple races.
Being a race director (RD) can be hard. And for many (myself included), like most ultrarunners out there, being an RD is a labor of love and not our full-time job. The time and energy put into organizing events, answering emails and obtaining permits happens after a full day of working at my real job or on weekends after my long run. I burn up a good portion of my vacation days from my “real job” to mark courses the day before an event or catch up on sleep after pulling an all-nighter supporting friends running ultras.
Beyond finding the time to get it done, there’s a lot of aspects of being an RD that aren’t exactly glamorous and at times, can make me question why I continue to direct races including excessive emails, issues with permitting, harsh critics and extreme weather. Over the past few years, navigating race cancellations and safety protocols due to COVID has been especially challenging.
So why do I continue to do this in my spare time? In short, and as cheesy as it sounds, it’s because of each of you.
At the Vermont 100, I am at the finish line from the time the first finisher arrives around 6 p.m., until the last finisher crosses the line close to 10 a.m. the next morning. I get to greet each runner with a handshake or sweaty hug, and the vibe at the finish fuels my desire to RD for the entire year. Spend an hour out there yourself, and you’ll understand. I got to watch Caroline Williams successfully cross the finish line after 12 failed attempts, and congratulate Denis Trafecanty when he became the oldest Vermont 100 mile finisher at age 75. Last year, I got to run in with Faith Raymond as she completed her life-long goal of completing the Vermont 100-mile just under the cut-off, and high-five Riley Brady as they crushed the rest of the competition in the 100k. I’ve gotten to hug my friends, old and new, as they set new PRs, completed their first 100k or struggled to reach the finish line. I’ve been witness to the amazement and tears as someone just accomplished something they only dreamed was possible. The tears shed during these moments and snapshots of pure joy mixed with exhaustion, help me push through the rough grind of race directing.
At the first Chesterfield Gorge Ultra after COVID restrictions lifted, I had a local reporter interviewing me as the race was happening. We were standing in the start/finish area and runners were lapping through, getting support and cheers from friends and family. Other runners were scattered on the ground, exhausted but animated as they recounted what they had just achieved. The reporter asked me what my favorite moment was and I simply said, “This is it,” as I listened to the chatter and laughter, and my heart swelled from the support of this community of runners.
Just like when I am struggling during the later miles of an ultra, remembering my “why” of race directing has powered me through the tough moments and gotten me to the finish line.