Survey shows HaverHalf runners would come back again
Monday, 19th May 2014.
The inaugural HaverHalf and Haver10 races look set to have a bright future, with 99 per cent of runners who responded to a survey saying they would enter again.
The races, held on May 11 raising money for St Nicholas Hospice Care, attracted more than 350 runners to Haverhill to compete.
Organiser Jack Tappin subsequently sent out a survey to entrants, which around 180 runners completed.
The most pleasing statistic was that 99 per cent of people said they would enter again, while 84 per cent said they would consider entering both HaverHalf and Haver10 if they were held on separate dates.
Some 90 per cent of people found the course fun, while 81 per cent found it challenging.
A whopping 96 per cent had a good experience with the race, and 84 per cent found it easy to navigate.
Some 79 per cent said it was cheap to enter, with 71 per cent valuing the importance of it being a UK Athletics licensed race.
On the marshalling, 66 per cent said they got clear directions, while 84 per cent said marshals were helpful and 92 per cent that they were polite.
Having a charity being supported was important to 72 per cent of people, though only 47 per cent were concerned about the choice of charity.
Being a local charity was important to 68 per cent, while all the profit going to charity was valued by 58 per cent.
Seventy-three per cent of runners felt safe on the course, and 77 per cent felt they were able to set a good time.
Ninety seven per cent said having road closures was important, while 58 per cent liked a town centre start but 78 per cent would be happy with a rural route.
In areas where the event can improve, 43 per cent of people did not find registration easy, and 61 per cent said there were not enough people on registration and 37 per cent said there were not enough marshals.
Some 37 per cent thought the course was not well signposted and 70 per cent would be happier with more signage.
Some 67 per cent would be happier with a chief marshal and 64 per cent with a course director.
Chip timing being used would be valued by 73 per cent of people.
Mr Tappin said: "The survey has been very useful, and just as I was surprised by the number of runners we got at the event so too have I been pleasantly surprised by the number of people offering their feedback with this survey.
"This has confirmed many of what I thought were problems with the race and am already looking to remedy for 2015.
"I plan to have chip timing for next year and have registration open on Saturday so local people can register the day before, while the appointment of a site director will also assist with this.
"I plan to appoint a course director, who will ensure more signage is out, and also a chief marshal to ensure marshals have more time to learn their roles and be completely clear about them.
"It was good to see people considered the entry fee good value, felt safe on the course and could navigate it easily. I plan to have an easier-to-navigate course for next year. Most promising was that so many people are prepared to enter in the future.
"I hope to split the events into two days of racing, and with better selection of dates to avoid clashing with other local athletics events I think we can aim to attract close to 400 runners per race. Hopefully that will come true in 2015."
The races, held on May 11 raising money for St Nicholas Hospice Care, attracted more than 350 runners to Haverhill to compete.
Organiser Jack Tappin subsequently sent out a survey to entrants, which around 180 runners completed.
The most pleasing statistic was that 99 per cent of people said they would enter again, while 84 per cent said they would consider entering both HaverHalf and Haver10 if they were held on separate dates.
Some 90 per cent of people found the course fun, while 81 per cent found it challenging.
A whopping 96 per cent had a good experience with the race, and 84 per cent found it easy to navigate.
Some 79 per cent said it was cheap to enter, with 71 per cent valuing the importance of it being a UK Athletics licensed race.
On the marshalling, 66 per cent said they got clear directions, while 84 per cent said marshals were helpful and 92 per cent that they were polite.
Having a charity being supported was important to 72 per cent of people, though only 47 per cent were concerned about the choice of charity.
Being a local charity was important to 68 per cent, while all the profit going to charity was valued by 58 per cent.
Seventy-three per cent of runners felt safe on the course, and 77 per cent felt they were able to set a good time.
Ninety seven per cent said having road closures was important, while 58 per cent liked a town centre start but 78 per cent would be happy with a rural route.
In areas where the event can improve, 43 per cent of people did not find registration easy, and 61 per cent said there were not enough people on registration and 37 per cent said there were not enough marshals.
Some 37 per cent thought the course was not well signposted and 70 per cent would be happier with more signage.
Some 67 per cent would be happier with a chief marshal and 64 per cent with a course director.
Chip timing being used would be valued by 73 per cent of people.
Mr Tappin said: "The survey has been very useful, and just as I was surprised by the number of runners we got at the event so too have I been pleasantly surprised by the number of people offering their feedback with this survey.
"This has confirmed many of what I thought were problems with the race and am already looking to remedy for 2015.
"I plan to have chip timing for next year and have registration open on Saturday so local people can register the day before, while the appointment of a site director will also assist with this.
"I plan to appoint a course director, who will ensure more signage is out, and also a chief marshal to ensure marshals have more time to learn their roles and be completely clear about them.
"It was good to see people considered the entry fee good value, felt safe on the course and could navigate it easily. I plan to have an easier-to-navigate course for next year. Most promising was that so many people are prepared to enter in the future.
"I hope to split the events into two days of racing, and with better selection of dates to avoid clashing with other local athletics events I think we can aim to attract close to 400 runners per race. Hopefully that will come true in 2015."
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