Walking Division — But No Prizes?
What is it with races that have walking divisions, yet no prizes? I don’t need a prize, in fact I’m not fast enough to ever win a prize. However, if a race advertises that there is a walking division, and it states all walkers must walk, wouldn’t you assume that there would be prizes for walkers?
From that race’s web site:
Individuals are placed in the following categories: 11-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+, Walkers (MUST walk the entire course), Cruisers.
There were prizes awarded for every single category — EXCEPT walkers. Otherwise, it was a great race!
Doesn’t seem quite right, does it.
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Comments
Good point, Cindi. I also don’t understand the rationale for having a walking division if there aren’t awards for the leading walkers. I wonder if they misjudged how many prizes they’d need and ran out before they got to the walkers? The only other reason I can think of for segregating the walkers is if they were going to start earlier than the runners.
Jay
Funny they didn’t specify that up front. I once traveled 2 hours to a 5k, which I would not normally do, because they advertised walkers awards. When we arrived, the powers that be had decided they were not giving walking awards. So, I finished 4th place in my age group among the RUNNERS, and during the award ceremony they gave certificates to age group walking winners… Not me??? the lady they gave the walking award to in my age group had a finish time of around 43 minutes, and I walked the race in 33:?? minutes.
sorry for taking up so much space in your blog, Cindi, but road races just do not respect walkers for the most part!
Hi Jay,
No early start for walkers, so there was really no reason for the walking division. The prizes were gift cards to a local running store and many winners were not there, so there were plenty.
It was just weird.
Cindi
Two hours for a 5K? Wow!
I know it is hard for many races to monitor walkers which is why they don’t want to mess with it. But it is frustrating when there is no reason for the category.
Could you imagine if they just did not give awards for the Cruisers or a specific age group?
Cindi
Wow, So this is a world wide problem. I thought I was the only one to be grouchy at paying the same entry fee as “runners” but dont get any recognition..no matter how well I placed. It has caused me to write many an irrate letter, and it has changed a couple of our events here. Keep walking and keep smiling.
Nyle,
We used to have a great local race director who had age-group awards for walkers at every race. He said he was losing money though because there were not enough walkers in each race to support awards.
I feel very torn because I’d like races to encourage walkers, and I’m glad they are walker friendly, but if they offer a walking division I wish they at least did top 3.