Members would be aware, from notices on this website, that a review was conducted of Canberra Marathon operations in the early part of this year. Member’s views were sought through completion of a questionnaire or by provision of written comments during the period 22 January to 15 March. The review group established by the ACTCCC committee analyzed the completed surveys and developed a report in March. The report has been considered by the ACTCCC committee.

The ACTCCC committee wishes to thank those people who took time to complete the survey. For the information of club members a summary of the findings is provided below.

Review Findings

The survey questions were structured around three main areas: what impressed people most about the Canberra Marathon, issues that people were not satisfied with and suggestions that may assist in the conduct of future Canberra Marathons.

With regard to what impressed people most a large number made comments about the aspects that supported them as a participant in the Canberra Marathon:

• Well coordinated, runs smoothly, professional;
• High level of encouragement by volunteers, volunteers helpful, enthusiastic and friendly;
• Plenty of drinks;
• Marathon booklet helpful;
• Availability of 50k option;
• Speed of availability of results;
• Like the way ACT community and runners support the event;
• Scenic course, good for runners and spectators;
• Registration, entry, collection of bibs works well;
• Course well marked and measured;
• Ability to provide personal drinks;
• Has a community feel

On the matter of issues that survey participants were not satisfied with their comments largely fell into the following categories:

• Inadequate Support for Volunteers: The issues raised included poorly organized and presented training of volunteers, inadequate food,  snacks, drinks for volunteers, rudeness by organizers.

• Difficulties Undertaking Volunteer Duties: Again this included a range of issues, including difficulties doing marshaling duties, inadequate equipment, rudeness of drivers, not enough marshals to do the job properly.

• Other Issues: These issues included negative view of the expo (poorly organized, boring, products too expensive, other expos much better), entry price keeps increasing, inadequate toilets, lack of online entry,  and some people commented that they did not like the direction that the marathon was taking by becoming too commercialized including eliminating local companies that support running in the ACT.

Regarding suggestions for the future some were a restatement or an elaboration of problems raised in the review. For example:

• Better Support for Volunteers: improved organization, drinks, light lunch, better training, support vehicle checking on and supporting volunteers;
• Greater Support for Marshals: more equipment and larger number of marshals at key points, don’t put the same people on these jobs year after year;
• Expensive: fun run particularly expensive, should include a T shirt in entry fee.
• Expo: improve atmosphere with music, high quality stalls, better merchandise;
• Entry: introduce online entry provision.

The other suggestions included:

• Improve pacing arrangements, use local athletes;
• Improve first drink station to overcome congestion (runners still in large groups);
• Improve media coverage;
• Kids Marathon detracts from other events (just a fund raiser);
• Improve availability of massages;
• ACTCCC should get greater recognition, possibly financially.

Overall the results clearly demonstrate that most survey participants felt that the Canberra Marathon is well organized and conducted but there were some criticisms which were considered to be matters capable of being addressed and would then further enhance the Canberra Marathon.