Using another person's entry

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

It's time for RD's who all now rely on electronic entries (a service we pay for) to start taking advantage of the capabilities of these services. There is no real reason that a race could not offer a waiting list and transfer options to participants. I think most of us would be willing to pay a small fee for the service.

I agree. Do what other races do and charge a transfer fee to change the name on the registration. Win-Win. Maybe we would actually get goodies in those race bags then. Just defer any entries for people who can't make it and charge the fee for that, and offer Expo registration at full price. Disney likes money, not sure why they don't think about more ways to make a lot more of it besides increasing entries.

I cancelled my Goofy registration this year because I wasn't properly trained, had them offer to send my goody bag, got convinced to do it anyway, and had no problem picking up the stuff. Evidently, they didn't make note of who wouldn't be attending or anything. It makes me wonder if I had asked for my shirt to be mailed if I still would have been able to pick up the bib.

 

[FFigawi]

It's time for RD's who all now rely on electronic entries (a service we pay for) to start taking advantage of the capabilities of these services. There is no real reason that a race could not offer a waiting list and transfer options to participants. I think most of us would be willing to pay a small fee for the service.

Marine Corps has been doing this for years, so there's absolutely no excuse for other races to not offer the same service. I think it all comes down to greed. If 10% of entrants don't show up, that's 10% saved in medals, post-race food, race shirts, etc.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

Marine Corps has been doing this for years, so there's absolutely no excuse for other races to not offer the same service. I think it all comes down to greed. If 10% of entrants don't show up, that's 10% saved in medals, post-race food, race shirts, etc.

Does the MCM have a cut-off for when you can transfer? I guess they don't put names on the bibs, so it is purely administrative. They have the bib regardless. Whereas Disney puts names on them, so they would have to have an extra supply or place the order closer to the race?

 

[scoolover]

Now that, I do disagree with. The finish line of any race (especially something like a half marathon, marathon, Ironman, etc) is hallowed ground and acceptable for only those who finish.

http://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/made-mettle

I wouldn't give one for the purpose described in the article above but if I had a medal that I didn't "earn", I would most certainly give it to someone to brighten their day.

...and after paying $150 for a race, I'd have no moral issue about taking a medal at the finish even if I didn't run the whole race. They expected you to take one anyway when you signed up.

 

[cewait]

Marine Corps has been doing this for years, so there's absolutely no excuse for other races to not offer the same service. I think it all comes down to greed. If 10% of entrants don't show up, that's 10% saved in medals, post-race food, race shirts, etc.

I absolutely understand the statistical shrinkage that an RD plans on. That's the reason that one reads of folks complaining on occasion when the RD runs out of medals, water, shirts. I am still waiting for the Houston Masters to send my 2004 Finisher shirt I earned but the RD ran out well before the race concluded.

 

[FFigawi]

Does the MCM have a cut-off for when you can transfer? I guess they don't put names on the bibs, so it is purely administrative. They have the bib regardless. Whereas Disney puts names on them, so they would have to have an extra supply or place the order closer to the race?

Yes, there is a cut-off date, but that's to be expected. They need to know who is out there in case of any emergencies. That said, I love how they say that they want as many people to take part as possible which is why they so strongly encourage and support bib transfers.

 

[tiki23]

I just sent runDisney an email, asking them to reconsider their policy on bib transfers.

Can't hurt; might help.

 

[RENThead09]

Well in the runDisney is being super hypocritical side of things, they actually retweeted a message from Joey Fatone (of NSync fame) yesterday which reads: My wife hurt her foot and is a runner, so I told her I would take her place for the #GoofyChallenge what was I thinking! Lol but gonna do it.

So it's ok for a male celebrity to take the bib of a female, but no one else is allowed to transfer entries. OK........

Hmmmmmm. Seems like a can of worms you really wouldn't want to open. And especially one you wouldn't want to re-tweet. But the PR team is probably looking bigger picture.

Seems like a solid argument for anyone wanting to transfer a bib. "Well Joey Fatone got to do it". Hahaha.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[cewait]

Hmmmmmm. Seems like a can of worms you really wouldn't want to open. And especially one you wouldn't want to re-tweet. But the PR team is probably looking bigger picture.

Seems like a solid argument for anyone wanting to transfer a bib. "Well Joey Fatone got to do it". Hahaha.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Maybe, but one can google press coverage of the 94 marathon and you can hear that the race folks were scrambling to figure out how to get celebrities into the race. There are always a set of rules for the masses ... then the elite's 'privileges' with regard to rules.

Nice try.

 

[LSUfan4444]

http://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/made-mettle

I wouldn't give one for the purpose described in the article above but if I had a medal that I didn't "earn", I would most certainly give it to someone to brighten their day.

...and after paying $150 for a race, I'd have no moral issue about taking a medal at the finish even if I didn't run the whole race. They expected you to take one anyway when you signed up.

Yes, they did expect you to take a medal when you signed up. just as soon as you finished the race and crossed the finish line.

Nobody should have a medal they didn't earn, that's why it's called a finisher'd medal. They're special because you have to finish the race to get one.

I have no concern whatsoever about the financial impacts. But, if you didn't do the whole race, there is no reason to cross the finish line. If you just want to run a little bit with someone, duck out before the finish line and let the finisher have their moment. More and more races around the country are banning non competitors from the finish line and including an automatic disqualification for competitors who cross with friends or family members who were not participants.

The finish line is exactly what it is, its the line competitors cross to signal their race is over....the finish. I'm not that much of a stickler for details, but I do support the purity of the sport and I think the finish line should be strictly reserved for those who actually finish.