MY FRECKLETON HALF
My experience of this year’s Freckleton half Marathon started way
back at the beginning of March when Alvys and Dave, who now organise this
race, asked me to do the Number Transfers.
I did this job last year when Brian
Porter was in charge and, for my sins, must have done it well enough for
them to ask me to do it again.
Well, you know me “Mrs. Organisation” – I set out my spreadsheets, prepared my
template for email replies, and waited for the onslaught. I didn’t have to wait
long as very soon the requests for spare numbers started to flood in. Some were
extremely polite, some short and to the point, and others, well, I just think they expected them to be produced out of
nowhere!
Un- phased by all this I set about building
my list in order of date of receipt and waited for the offers to come in. These
were slow to start with but eventually my list 
started to take off and I emailed, phoned,
texted the runners in their order of request and waited for the replies. Again,
some were very prompt but others took ages to respond. Some of my voicemails
were ignored for days and so were my emails. It was only when I managed to
speak personally to a runner that I managed to move things on a bit. Everyone
had been asked to keep an eye on the list I had posted on our website. This List was also linked to the Freckleton Half Marathon Site so there
was no excuse for runners not to see where they were on the list and to be
ready for my contact.
When a number came to me, (and this could
be from various places such as, the Race
Organisers, a runner who had been injured and knew about my list, or even Facebook messages I picked up on). I
then started the process of contacting the next in line. I think it amused the Wrinkly Gang who I went to Llandudno with for a long weekend at
the beginning of June, to see me
perched in a corner of the “pub of choice” answering my emails
and marking off my list! Thanks to Boss Wrinkly I managed to download some software which would
identify the Wi-Fi free access
areas. Mad I know but that’s me as I as aware that some runners were anxiously
waiting for my contact. Mind you, even if I hadn’t taken my PC Notebook I couldn’t have got away
from it as I also received phone calls and text messages from waiting runners
to see what was happening!
Once a number had been allotted to a runner
I also sent them a Number Transfer Form.
However, I think some thought that “we have the number now so we can run”
but that was not the case. So, between Alvys,
Dave and I, we started to chase the Transfer
Forms up as well!
I could write a book on all the experiences
I had over this Transfer List but Boss Wrinkly would not thank me for
that – he needs his rest poor love, he’s not getting 
any younger!
I have to admit though,
there were plenty of runners receiving, and giving numbers who I have thoroughly
enjoyed my contact with. They have been polite, helpful and very, very patient
and those are the ones who make me understand why I do it. I managed to get all
but four of my requests sorted by race day, (and I believe even they managed to
pick one up on the day), so I felt quite proud of myself. I persuaded Dave and Alvys to let me continue right up until the last minute – 11pm the
night before the race! They agreed to this asking the runners concerned to pick
up their allotted number on the day.
Race Day came – my List was shut down but my duties continued. I was marshalling in my
usual spot at the far end of Wrea Green
just by the duck pond. As I steered the runners to the right of the road I was
absolutely delighted and thrilled to have many of “my runners” shout “Hi
Brenda – thanks” or give my a Hi-five
as they passed by. Now I know why I did it. It felt absolutely great. I also
believe that some of them left me gifts at the main field but I have yet to
receive them. Doesn’t it restore your faith in human nature?
Will I do it again next year – we’ll see!!!
Written by: Brenda
J Earnshaw WRR Editor
Submitted: 28th
June 2011