The Missing Route

It used to be that when a race is launched, everything is up on the event’s website. But nowadays, almost all events except those in the East Coast Park do not broadcast the race route until the registration is closed Take for example the following races: 

• U Run 27 February 2011 – Registration dateline is 31 January 2011 and yet the website states for Race Route: More details coming soon…….
• 2XU 10 April 2011 – Route: to be updated…
• Run 350 17 April 2011 – Route: coming soon
• Salomon Tiong Bahru Urban Trail Run 17 April 2011 – Route: The race route will be announced and published at least 2 weeks before the event date
• Energizer Singapore Night Trail 30 April 2011 – Route: To be updated….
• Sundown Marathon – Race Maps: Coming soon…

If I remember correctly, last year it was only the Sundown Marathon that adopted this practice. Subsequently, the SCMS followed. This year, it looks like a lot more has decided to follow the trend.

I not too sure why this is so? No approval from the authorities? Or kiasu mentality. Let the runners sign up first otherwise they go for other races?

Will runners who sign up earlier cry father cry mother later when they discovered the route is not to their expectation? Can they get a refund on the race fee if they discover that they do not like the route? On the other hand, can runners afford to wait until the route is out before they sign up and miss out on the early bird fee or worse risk missing the race altogether if the race closes early?

Race organizer should be fair to the participants and finalise all details before launching their event.  After all, the most important part of racing for us recreational racers is the race experience and the race route undoubtedly makes up the biggest portion of the experience.