Over it (the practical reasons)

The NorthCoast 24-Hour Endurance Run (NC24) began in 2009. I was Race Director that year, and I continued to assume the RD duties each year through 2015. Being RD was a ton of work and worry, yet it was enormously fulfilling. This was mostly because we had a dedicated team of individuals, all committed to working together to make and keep NC24 the world-class event that it was. I absolutely loved these friends; they were like family. Here is a post about these wonderful people. 

It was with great gratification that I was able to witness the continuation of the race by Vertical Runner Race Management (now Mid Ohio Race Management). Something I started (and put my heart and soul into) had persevered; I couldn't have been happier. But NC24 did not take place in 2020 due to Covid-19. And now the question arises, what will happen in 2021? Mid Ohio Race Management has not said anything, and many wonder whether the event will take place at all again this year.

My friend Larry Orwin has been one of NC24's greatest promoters. He was part of that great race organization team and has also run the event (often quite well) many times. Because of the uncertainty about Mid Ohio Race Management (and probably without communicating with them), Larry asked me if I would consider taking back the NC24 RD duties. The question gave me pause.

As you may have noticed from what's been said so far, NC24 was a wonderful experience for me. What would happen if I tried to resurrect the race and my position as RD? Here's a shortlist of some of the many things that would need to happen.

1) The reincarnation of the event would need to be financially viable. This means getting substantial sponsorship funding because the race fees are not enough to absorb the costs.

2) The race organization team would need to be rebuilt. NC24 was a Medina County Road Runners (MCRR) club event until 2015. Mid Ohio Race Management made it a for-profit event thereafter. As RD, I was able to get MCRR members to volunteer. Organizers and volunteers would need to come from someplace for any future event.

3) The location would need to be secured. Although there have been challenges, Edgewater is an awesome place to hold a run such as this. NC24 wouldn't be the same anyplace else. Yet obtaining the permit (which was never easy) may no longer even be possible for a lot of reasons.

After thinking about it in these terms, not to mention all the additional considerations, I now realize that I can no longer realistically expect to direct NC24. It's sad but true. My life has changed, and I've moved on. My 'NC24 RD' era is over, and as much as I hate to say it, I'm over it.