We ran the Mid-Atlantic Savage Race recently. The evening before the event, we stayed at a local B&B, and there just happened to be some event support folks staying there, as well. During the course of the evening's conversations, we got something of a "peek up the skirt" look at what goes on behind the scenes with many of these events. One example is this...search for Savage Race images via Google, and you'll find images similar to the one to right. Now, this is an older image, but it clearly shows that the Savage Race folks did not try to differentiate themselves from the Tough Mudder at the outset. Since then, they've changed to a blue color scheme, and the obstacles at this weekend's event were all painted the same shade of blue. However, some of the obstacles at the Savage Race were simply variations of those from the Tough Mudder. While I did like the sawtooth in the middle of the monkey bars, there was the electric shock obstacle...not much of a challenge, per se, and it didn't require much in the way of teamwork to complete. So, my point is that while there are some things that every event needs to have that are common and necessary for all events, each event can also do quite a bit to differentiate themselves from others. For example, every event needs a central area for registration, vendors, and to let participants gather. Most events seem to recognize that this works best if suitable facilities are provided, there is a way to get questions answered, and there's a party atmosphere. Bigger events tend to bring in vendors that keep spectators entertained and fed, and give participants a reason to hang around after the event. After the Tough Mudder in Frederick, MD, in Sept, 2012, I stopped by the Marines tent and tried my hand at pullups. This is also a great place to make your event "merch" and swag available...hats, t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc.
The use of social media and the Internet also appears to be fairly common, and for the most part well understood, and the larger events really tend to exploit them, rather than simply use them. Many of the smaller events don't really seem to understand how to really make use of and exploit social media to reach potential participants, but they seem to be trying.
Obstacles
OK, let's talk obstacles...the obstacles make the event, but people, really? The electric shock "obstacles" are being overdone at this point. The pit full of ice that you have to traverse seems to be a good one, particularly if the weather really begs for it, or if it's a longer event (keep moving to stay warm).
I've seen some pretty good obstacles at previous events, and some of those events are no longer running. For example, the Rebel Race had an over-under obstacle, in muddy water, that was pretty good. The now-defunct Jungle Cup had a combo obstacle, where you had to climb up to a platform, swing to another platform, do a rope traverse to a third platform, and then do a balance beam. This one obstacle was like having four obstacles back-to-back, and was a lot of fun, in addition to being challenging.
The Mid-Atlantic Spring Tough Mudder was my first experience with the cage crawl and the pirate's booty. Both of these were new (to me) and innovative obstacles.
I think that the folks at Extreme Nation had the right idea, or at least a good one, by reducing the distance and having a lot of obstacles. While I was saddened that the recent Savage Race in MD was shortened due to the heat and humidity, ultimately, I did enjoy having so many obstacles over the shorter distance. It's easy to see that two ways that the various events can really innovate is to (a) develop new obstacles, and (b) have more obstacles.
I did my first mud/obstacle events during my initial military training about 25 years ago. As such, I'm familiar with obstacles that can be tough, challenging, take a lot out of you, and at the same time, be very simple. Admittedly, a lot of this can depend upon available terrain...staking a couple of knotted ropes at the top of a muddy hill and having folks climb up can be extremely challenging, but if you don't have a muddy hill with the right grade, then you have to build something. Over-unders, multiple high wall climbs (straight up or inclined), etc., can all be very challenging and leave even the most fit competitor taxed. And that's what these things are all about, aren't they...individuals or teams meeting and overcoming a challenge.
Brand Your Event
My advice to folks entering into or trying to distinguish themselves in the mud/obstacle event market...make your event YOUR event. Having a shortened version of another event doesn't distinguish you from them. It's all about brand and what sets you apart, and the formula for having a well-run event is pretty set, and all of the elements are the same (access to/from venue, ease of registration, available facilities, a band, beer, etc.)...but you can really set yourself apart from others by having different obstacles, so that your event is more than just a different logo and color scheme.
Here's a final thought...I was looking through my event memorabilia this past weekend, and I noticed that many of the events are following the same sort of format by providing finishers with a medal. The Rebel Race had a dog tag, and of course, the Tough Mudder has a headband. The Spartan Race has different colors for their events, reflected on their medals, and if you run a trifecta, you get a tri-color medal. But it's getting to the point that almost every event has a medal...just sayin'...
No comments:
Post a Comment