Prize Giving

[NeilC]

The Southern Champs followed the recommendations in the major events handbook (yes there is one) regarding the order of prize giving

The order of classes to be presented should be announced at the outset: ages 10
up to 20, then the oldest down to 35, then 21L and S and finally W21E and M21E

What we saw though was the numbers dwinding as recipients, and their families, left once their prize had been awarded. The crowd left at the end to see the elites get their prizes was disappointingly small.

The intention is good - build up to the best runners, but in principle this is regularly ruined by the fact that most people have left. Would it not be better to do the elites first, then the younger juniors are more likely to see those that they hopefully aspire to be? If the co-ordinator of a British Championship decided to award prizes/medals in the order 18/20/21/10-85 what would people think? Even better if the elite winners then stayed "on stage" to award the medals to the juniors.

[AlanB]

Sadly, it is probably the nature of the beast, particularly at this time of the year and especially at big events. People come from far and wide to compete at an event such as this and will probably have some distance to travel to get home. That, and the fact that we do have a lot of age categories to get through probably means that the numbers will dwindle.

At the Lakes 5 last summer it was very pleasant to sit on the grass and watch all the presentations - the time between finishing my race and the prize-giving commencing was filled with talking to others, getting something from the catering stand and shopping at the equipment stalls. It was light till late so there was no rush. At this time of year most people will want to be away as soon as possible.

[brooner]

And there are several events in the last few years where the elites got their prizes first, and then they stayed and cheered others on, and presented prizes - and that is a fact.