Author: darren

Local runners know Colin Wright. He was out on the course with his camera. 

Did he catch you? 

Some splits are iffy, but the results should be right.

https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=203861

Now, here’s a thing.

This year, if everything goes to plan, I’ll be using the “Webscorer” app to count laps and time.

Apart from Sue and I not having a soggy piece of paper on a clipboard to read and try to count laps on, there are three big advantages to using this app.

The first is that lap times are recorded. Which gives you more data, which is good. I’m not going to guarantee the accuracy of the first lap, as we’re still learning the software, plus we’re both involved in the relay.

The second is that the software automagically creates results files for me, saving me the administrative burden of having to type them up, and meaning that you can have results on the day. This allows me additional beer time on Saturday evening.

I’m genuinely excited about the third big advantage, though, which is live timing. This means that you, or anyone who wants to follow you, can see which laps all the runners are on and see how you are progressing. This is super handy if they’re coming to cheer you on. It also means that you’ll be able to find out your time within seconds of crossing the line. Of course, I’ll hopefully still be able to cheer you in with a time in the traditional fashion.

The results files, so I am told, will be accessible here

There’s also a pair of start lists on that site just now, but I’ve made amendments on the live data on the tablet, so it might not be right. It might be worth your while looking, though, to see if I’ve missed you out, especially if you’ve been involved in a swap recently.

You should all have received an email now with this information, but if not, it’s here.

If you haven’t received an email and believe you should have, please email vigilantesrunning@lincsathlete.co.uk

Seriously, there’s no need for anyone to park on grass. 

I’ve just found a new timing solution that should make things a lot easier moving forwards. It’s tablet based, generates results files automatically and uploads, real-time apparently – to the cloud.

Getting timing right on the day is one of the hardest things I have to do, given the small team that I have working with me every year. Sue always does a fantastic job, but hopefully this should relieve the pressure on both of us.

I’ve paid for it – it was only £40 – out of my own pocket this year to see if I can use it, but it will require me to get the start lists into a specific format to work on the tablet. It’s going to mean that I can’t chop and change entries now, because once I’ve uploaded, I’ve uploaded.

If I’ve emailed you recently to facilitate a swap, then that can go ahead, but any more after this will be administratively very difficult.

I’ve got almost everything, now. Just got to get event-day food and drink and we’re ready to go.

I’ll send an email to everyone who is registered before the event with final instructions.

Unlike certain other events, we don’t oversell places. We know that some people won’t make the start line, but we don’t like to be presumptuous. We know that if you can’t make it, you have until the end of this month to find someone to take your place off you, and we think that’s only fair.

That said, there are only two more people who will be able to apply to have a bit of Maravan fun this on the 24th November this year, as there are only two more places in the Half Marathon up for grabs..

Everyone who finishes the half marathon will get a bespoke medal, some chocolate or something similar, some crisps and a beer and a can of cola or such like. It’s a fun way to take part in the festivities without having to commit to running a whole marathon.

Get them while they’re still available.

Thanks to everyone for all your support. Delighted to announce that the relay is now full!

There are still plenty of spaces in the other events, though.

As usual, if I’m able to, nearer the event date, then I might be able to free up another couple of team places.

If you’ve missed out, check back in a few weeks! Or watch this space…

I liked last year’s medal. It was a good size, a lovely design, and had a couple of clever features. I’m not a fan of change for change’s sake, so I’m using the same basic design this year as well.

So as to mix things up a bit, though, I’m changing colours around a bit. Runners on Saturday, and Sunday’s Marathon will receive antique gold coloured medals this year, and the ribbons are all individually printed with the event and year, so if you collect two medals over the weekend, they’ll both be different.

Half Marathon runners will have shiny silver medals this year.

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