Here are some details about the group runs including what sponsoring entails and how we plan the calendar.

Run Sponsors

Sponsoring a run is really pretty easy. Usually it just means you put out some water in designated water drops along the course and pick up the cups afterwards. Here's a list with some more details:

• Drop water at a few places along the course and at start/end.  We try to mark the water drop locations on the maps for each run... normally somewhere out of sight (so a good samaritan doesn't "clean it up" for us!).  The water drops are normally just a gallon of water (tap is fine) and a stack of paper cups in a plastic bag.  Optionally you can add some gatorade, gu, etc., especially if there's a long run option.
• Pick up the water/trash after the run
• Try to make sure no one gets left behind.  The group can do run-backs for slower runners, wait at decision points along the course, find equally paced running partners, etc.

There's also other optional things a sponsor might do depending on the details of the run:

• Bring a few copies of course map for new comers... no need for this is the course is simple, such as an out & back.
• Optionally organize post-run activities, e.g. breakfast / brunch, coffee, picnic, cheer on racers, etc.

Sponsoring a run also has its benefits:

• Fame and fortune!
• You pretty much get to pick the run if you'd like.  Have a favorite place/route?  Volunteer to sponsor and we'll add it to the calendar!

Calendar Planning:

Group run goals:

• Regular meeting times
• Provide run support (water, etc.)
• Variety of distances and paces
• Plan weeks to months in advance
• Variety of starting locations.  Mix in new locations w/old favorites.
• Support local races. When there's a local race the official club run will often be running the race itself. If it's a longer run we may plan another group run that allows us to cheer on the racers afterwards.

Group run guidelines:

• Starting Time:
  • 7:00 am - June thru September? (Beat the heat)
  • 8:00 am - October thru May? (Post sunrise)
  • Later for brunch options?
• How to do mapping?

 

• Start by adding any local races we want to support
• Add one run each weekend near State College
• Add one run each weekend a bit farther out (e.g. Bellefonte)
• Look for new courses in surrounding towns for variety
• Track the runs we have and how many people attend ()
• For each run:
  • Plan several courses w/various distances, 3M, 5M, 10M
  • For trail runs, have a non-trail option
  • For longer races, plan a shorter run for non-racers
  • Ask people to sponsor - let them know how easy it is
  • Potential post-run activities
• Keep a log of past runs, all club runs, and try to rotate through all of them.
• Popular runs more oftten
• Ask for to suggest their favorite runs - hopefully they will sponsor it.

Possible future runs:

• start location Bernel Park near airport - Bellfonte loop
• Get ideas from biking site?
• Game lands - non-trail option?
• Tofftrees Trail - sunset Park
• Lemont
• Boalsburg
• Pine Grove Mills
• Four Hills
• Pensylvania Furnace
• Tunnel Loop
• Port Matilda
• Stormstown
• Bellefonte
• Circleville trail
• - Wind Mill run
• Mount Nittany Marathon - Club sponsored water stop? Shorter group run before hand (e.g. watch race start, short-cut run to water stop arriving before first runners)

Arts Fest, Flutopia, Herbies's Home town loop

 

Group Run History

Location	Dates	Attendee Count	Notes
Bernel Road Park	7/11/2015	2
Cherry Run Trail	6/20/2015	9
Spring Creek Canyon	6/28/2015	4
	7/5/2015	6
Spring Creek Park	6/14/2015	10