Run/Work Group Question

[Jeff Stuart]

At the SD Tour I noticed that even with the large number of participants, they were only running 4 run/work groups. It seems that at every local event we run, we are always having to combine run groups or shuffle classes around so that there are enough workers (usually the bare minimum) to work course. My question is, why don't we just run 4 run groups like they do at nationals so that we don't have this headache at every event (and I mean plan on running 4 run groups from the start)?

Yes, it will probably mean that you have to work ~20 or so more minutes, but speaking from my personal experience, I'd much rather work 20 more minutes with 1-2 extra workers in my section than have to work half of a section (or more) by myself. Fewer run groups and more workers should also lead to less reruns as workers are able to work smaller areas, and there would be fewer worker changes, saving more time.

[Aaron Goldsmith]

At the SD Tour I noticed that even with the large number of participants, they were only running 4 run/work groups. It seems that at every local event we run, we are always having to combine run groups or shuffle classes around so that there are enough workers (usually the bare minimum) to work course. My question is, why don't we just run 4 run groups like they do at nationals so that we don't have this headache at every event (and I mean plan on running 4 run groups from the start)?

Yes, it will probably mean that you have to work ~20 or so more minutes, but speaking from my personal experience, I'd much rather work 20 more minutes with 1-2 extra workers in my section than have to work half of a section (or more) by myself. Fewer run groups and more workers should also lead to less reruns as workers are able to work smaller areas, and there would be fewer worker changes, saving more time.

National events require far more workers that local ones. There are many more chiefs and every group has it's own set of folks that at a local event we have one person do for the whole day. In general we have enough folks at every event these days to not combine groups, the problem lies with the groups going out of balance as folks change classes to run in either the morning or the afternoon.

Talk to your club rep, then they can bring your concerns up at the monthly committee meeting.