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We have weighed various aspects of a marathon within a 1,000-point scoring grid. Besides the author of the article, a dozen runners at the race were randomly chosen to score the race for us. (EFM = Edmonton Festival Marahon.) The results follow:

1. HISTORY/TRADITION Evaluate the race’s sense of history and tradition. Possible points: 30 EFM score: 15]

2. ENTRY FORM s the race entry form clear, concise, attractive, complete, and easy to fill out? Possible points: 20 EFM score: 18

3. ENTRY COST For most races, the entry fee covers between 30 and 50 percent of the cost of putting on the event. Rate the value of your dollar relative to this race. Possible points: 30 EFM score: 28

4, LOCALE/SCENICS

Is the race held in an area that is easy to get to and scenic, offers adequate ood and housing services, and nonrace activities for family and friends?

Possible points: 50 EFM score: 46

5. REGISTRATION s registration well-organized and efficient? Does it bog down unnecessarily? [Possible points: 20 EFM score: 18

6. PRERACE ACTIVITIES

Evaluate activities such as pasta feeds, parties, and so on, during the days before the race. [Possible points: 50 EFM score: 48

7. EXPO

Does the expo offer a fair number and variety of booths relative to the race’s size? Are there quality exhibitors and good guest speaker(s)?

[Possible points: 50 EFM score: 5]

8. COURSE

Take into consideration the following: degree of difficulty, certified, sanctioned, quality of road or trail surface, adequate mileage and directional markers, aid stations, medical coverage, race communications, accessibility to course for friends and family, typical weather, and so on.

[Possible points: 400 EFM score: 313]

continued

March/April 1998 EDMONTON FESTIVAL MARATHON © 115

9. RACE AMENITIES

This category includes race T-shirt, finisher’s medal, finisher’s certificate, adequate and efficient finish area, ease of sweatbag retrieval, showers, postrace refreshments, awards ceremony, raffles, results postcard, results book, and so on.

[Possible points: 250 EFM score: 241]

10. VOLUNTEERS Are the volunteers experienced and adequate in number? [Possible points: 100 EFM score: 82]

TOTAL SCORE FOR EDMONTON FESTIVAL MARATHON: 814 points (out of 1,000)

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