The Sports Archives – Best Moments Of 2012 Olympics Of Kayaking!

KayakingIf you are interested in the sport of kayaking, now is the time to inspire yourself with the golden moments from the 2012 Olympics in London. Records were broken and in the kayaking, Great Britain accomplished something it had never done before; win a gold medal in the canoe slalom.

Tim Baillie and Etienne Stott Gold Medal

Tim Baillie and Etienne Stott were complete unknowns prior to London 2012. Nobody expected them to do anything more than fill in the C2 field, while prominent racing pair David Florence and Richard Hounslow looked to challenge the unbeaten Slovakian brothers, Peter and Pavol Hochschorner.

Another reason why the eventual winners weren’t even considered was Etienne Stott underwent an invasive shoulder surgery only a year ago.

The Lee White Water Valley Training Centre was party to a shock surprise when the unbeaten Slovakian duo finished in the bronze medal position; a massive 1.87 seconds behind the two British pairs. Florence and Hounslow, who completed their slalom last, were only 0.36 seconds outside the gold medal position. It was definitely a result nobody expected!

Ed McKeever Wins the Sprint

London 2012 continued Great Britain’s amazing run of form in the Olympic kayaking sprint in the form of Ed McKeever. He powered through his sprint field to win a second gold medal for his country; after the gold medal success in Beijing 2008 when Tim Brabants claimed Britain’s first-ever gold.

Murmurs of something special began as early as the heats on Dorney Lake when McKeever claimed an Olympic record, but these were soon dashed in the semi-finals when he had slipped to third. On the day of the final, though, he powered out of the gates and led from start to finish. While he only beat Spaniard Craviotto Rivero (36.540) with his 36.246 time there was never truly any doubt as to who would win.

Helen Reeves, canoeing pundit for the BBC and Olympic bronze medallist commented: “He blew the field away from the start, leaving everyone else trying to catch him. A fantastic performance. That core strength that drives the blades and the focus this man has is incredible and he hasn’t been fazed by anything.”

Australian Four Win Gold

Australia’s canoeing foursome powered home at Eton Dorney to take only the country’s fourth gold medal in the sport in 74 years. The team of Murray Stewart, David Smith, Jacob Clear, and Tate Smith added Olympic gold to their silver in the world championships by bursting out of the gates and ripping the field apart. It was a dominating performance from a team few expected to win before the London 2012 kayaking had begun.

They finished with a time of 2:55.085, with silver medallists Hungary returning a time of 2:55.699. What makes this moment so special is it could indicate a power shift away from Hungary and Germany, who traditionally have extremely strong kayaking squads.

Olympic records fell and the hoodoo carried by the likes of the UK and Australia crumbled. It was definitely an inspirational Olympics and served as a fantastic advertisement for the thrills and excitement of kayaking as a sport.

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At X1 Sports Insurance we love to Kayak also.

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The Sports Archives – New vs. Old – Champions League Winners!

1966 UEFA Cup

1966 UEFA Cup

The recent Champions League draw has excited football fans across the world. Arguably the most mouth-watering match puts the Spanish national champions Real Madrid against the current Premier League leaders Manchester United. Games played between Manchester United and Real Madrid are rarely matched for quality, intensity or even TV audience figures. The two clubs have met four times on Europe’s biggest stage with Manchester United first claiming the trophy at the expense of Real Madrid in the 1968 semi-final.

The competition has seen two different trophies since its inception – the current design was first cast in Switzerland and is shaped like an urn with enormous looping handles.  The iconic image of the cup held aloft by Bobby Charlton in the stands at the old Wembley Stadium resonates with football fans of all generations and cultures. However, with the recent proposals to change the competition’s format and the competitions vigorous shake-up in 1992, which spurred a new era of Champions League football , can we compare the achievements of the 1968 Matt Busby team to recent winners such as Chelsea, Barcelona and the 2008 Manchester United side?

Cup Trophy in 2005

Cup Trophy in 2005

Unfortunately, the improvement in facilities, healthcare and playing conditions makes it hard to compare the quality of former and current winners. On the other hand, the reformed design of the competition makes it more unpredictable and seemingly harder to obtain the most famed trinket in club football.

The UEFA Champions League’s predecessor competition, the European Champion Clubs’ Cup, started in 1955 with a ‘straight knockout’ format, featuring only 16 teams (the winners of domestic leagues) with a total of 29 matches being played. At first the English FA restricted access to the competition believing that the domestic cups should take priority. However, as the competition became more established teams across Europe (mainly English and Northern European teams) the FA started to take the competition more seriously, hence a challenge to the early dominance of Real Madrid in the form of the 1950s Busby Babes. The 1990s witnessed the most prominent change with the expansion of teams (from 16 to 32) and the incorporation of a round-robin group stage that encouraged greater participation of clubs from the stronger national leagues.

Eusébio depicted on a 1968 Ajman stamp

Eusébio depicted on a 1968 Ajman stamp

Strictly speaking the Champions League is no longer just the preserve of champions – nonetheless its expansion and ranking of national leagues has certainly improved the excitement and entertainment value of European football with closer and more well matched fixtures. Although it will never be possible to compare the excellence of Eusébio to Lionel Messi, it is sensible to suggest that increased competition, whether it be in the 1992 expansion or the most recent reform proposals, has never been more of an achievement, to lift the Champions League trophy now than at any point in the last 57 years.

Simon Dunlop is a 37-year-old football coach; at the age of 17 he was signed with Manchester City Football Club as a junior but at the age of 18 he broke both legs in a youth game. Unfortunately he could never go back to professional football after his recovery so now coaches young children in the game that he loves and gets all of his football trophies from trophysales.co.uk.

Photo Credits: Wikipedia

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The Sports Archives – Why Is Football (Soccer) The World’s Most Popular Sport?

Football is a sport that has both stood the test of time and manages to traverse political and personal divides, not to mention international conflict and war zones, with reports of a game even being played between English and German troops in no man’s land on Christmas Day 1915 during the First World War.

When Africa hosted the World Cup in 2010, there were seemingly nothing but positive reports from the visiting fans, and pictures portrayed a happy crowd united in one common goal – a love of the game.

But what is it that gives the game its appeal?

From its formation, football’s popularity seems to have rested on its simplicity.  The fact that all you need is a ball and a space is an indicator of why it has always had such wide appeal.  In a contemporary context, the simplicity of it also means that it is something that can be played both on your own in the form of drills, and with as few players as two, which means children of all ages can occupy themselves, and practice in their own time.

Former Editor of the FA website, and author of the Jamie Johnson book series, Dan Freedman, says: “It’s beautiful, simple and cheap to play. It has a language, which transcends counties, cultures and religions. It’s dramatic, unpredictable, painful and rewarding. And that moment of a goal is unparalleled in any other sport.“

Of course, the celebrity endorsement and high media coverage that the sport now benefits from, along with high wages, and sense of communal victory that it inspires also have a part to play in its enduring appeal.  Coach, Scott Johnson, whose club, Ashton Town FC, says: “it’s a way towards celebrity status due to the high wages offered to professional players. In this media age and the history we have, it is a business available 24 hours a day.”

Football coach, Bill Gill, says: “The promotion of football by ambassadors like David Beckham and other celebrity icons as well as TV and other media influences affect both children and parents”, contributing to the propagation of the sport’s popularity.

Of course, one thing, as with all sport that has to be considered is the simple element of exercise, producing endorphins, which is particularly potent thanks to the group aspect of football.  Johnson agrees, saying: “As a player there is a sense of togetherness, team spirit and keeping healthy … it’s addictive!”

There are many factors that boil down to football’s popular appeal, and no doubt over time they will be added to.  However, one thing will always remain constant about the beautiful game, and is the reason that kids from one to 92 will always be fascinated … it’s simple.

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Author Bio: Lyndon Ogden is a passionate supporter of sports for children and a shareholder in myskillz which features football drills for children on its website.

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The Sports Archives – The Cheap-Seat Strategy: Making Nosebleeds Great!

People attending concerts and live sporting events often make the mistake of assuming that the seats near the top of the stadiums and arenas are somehow inferior to the rest. This is simply not true. In fact, if you know how to make the best out of sitting at or near the top, your experience can actually be much better than that of the folks who shell out several hundreds of dollars to be close to the fields and stages of North America. Here are five solid reasons that the cheap-seats strategy a very smart approach.

Funny Sports Monkees Baseball

“I told you not to buy the tickets from that ape!”

Perspective of the Action

Much like life itself, sitting in the cheap seats is all about perspective. The classic joke is that sitting in the top rows of any stadium will give you a nosebleed because of the altitude, but outside of the city of Denver that’s not actually a fear. The plain truth is that sitting at the top of the stadium will give you great perspective on the game, the band or whatever you may be watching.

Sitting in the top rows of any football stadium will let you see the plays unfold from an excellent viewpoint, allowing you to understand clearly why some plays are successful and why some are snuffed out at the line of scrimmage. The same goes for basketball arenas, as the sections and rows near the top allow fans to look down on all 10 players on the court at all times, clearly displaying the depth of strategy involved in getting the sphere into the hoop.

View of the City and Crowd

Any live sporting event features a large collection of breaks in the action and commercial time-outs, meaning that the typical fan has plenty of time to explore their surroundings. Sitting near the top of stadiums will allow you to peer out over their edges toward the skylines of the cities they are located in, creating a launch pad for daydreams or just something neat to look at before the play resumes. Sitting near the top will also afford you the opportunity to view the entire collection of spectators. People sitting in the front rows have no idea of the action that is transpiring in the large crowd around them, but folks in the top rows can see all of the crowd-related activities from a bird’s eye view.

Saves Money

Attending sporting events can be incredibly expensive, especially for large families. The best way to cut down on the overall cost is to buy cheap seats in the upper deck, which are often marked down to very enticing rates. A seat in one of the front rows could easily cost a person over $1,000 during the postseason of any major sport, and the overall experience is not necessarily any better, especially if you follow the instructions outlined in this article.

Having seats in the upper portions of any stadium is also a good thing when it comes time to sell them, as cheaper seats are likely to sell much quicker than those priced out of most people’s price range. A ticket that is purchased for $10 can easily be sold for $20, but selling a ticket originally priced at $500 for $1,000 is a much trickier proposition.

Elbow Room

The upper deck of any given stadium is never as crowded as the lower decks, and this is a very good thing for people wishing to let their hair down, kick their feet up and relax. The upper deck can be a great place for large families who want to spread out, have conversations and switch seats a few times. The atmosphere is generally a lot less stuffy and pretentious, and you will not be surrounded by people who have anted up a week’s wages in hopes of seeing their team win. Getting in and out of the upper deck can also be easier than getting in and out of other sections, especially in facilities that have escalators or well-placed stairwells.

Thinner Air Increases Buzz

It has been scientifically proven that alcohol has a greater effect on the human body in higher altitudes. Simply put, this means that drinking beer in the top row is a lot more fun than drinking beer in the front row. It typically takes a grown man of all three or four ballpark beers to loosen up, but the cares melt away even quicker in the upper deck, allowing you to enjoy the event that much more thoroughly. Just be sure that you have a designated driver or clear vision and plenty of time to sober up before you get behind the wheel of a car.

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The Sports Archives – Best Moments Of The New Orleans Hornets!

New Orleans PelicansThe New Orleans Hornets recently announced they will be changing their name to the Pelicans at the beginning of next season. Sports fans everywhere have critiqued the organization’s decision to change to the name of a bird that doesn’t necessarily stoke fear or enthusiasm.

As a pest control company, we are sad to see the retirement of the hornets mascot, as it was the last pest-related name in major pro sports in America. We thought we’d honor the Hornets by recounting some of the greatest moments in Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets history.

April 5, 1987

On this day, Commissioner David Stern called George Shinn, the teams original owner, to notify him that he was being awarded a team in the National Basketball Association. On November 4, 1988, the Hornets played their first game, which resulted in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. On those two dates is where it all started.

Where Did The Hornet Name Come From?

Other names were being considered by Shinn during the process of naming his new franchise, but “hornets” eventually won after a fan-based contest picked the winner. The name comes from a statement made by the British commander Lord Cornwalis during the Revolutionary War when he said the city resembled a “nest of hornets”.

The Prodigal Son Returns

On December 23, 1988, the hornets beat the Chicago Bulls. The game was Michael Jordan‘s first return to Charlotte as a professional player, and the win was viewed as the franchise’s first marquee victory.

So Close, Yet So Far Away

In 1996, the Hornets drafted Kobe Bryant out of Lower Merion High School in Pennsylvania. He would only be a Hornet for a short while before being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for Vlade Divac. Since then Bryant has led his team to five NBA championships, and become one of the greatest players in NBA history.

New Beginnings

After much dispute, the team was relocated to New Orleans before the start of the 2002 season. The team remained as the Hornets, but the season marked a new era of basketball for the franchise.

“The New Orleans Hornets Select…”

Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis

In April of 2012, the franchise was sold to Tom Benson, who stated early on that the team would be making major changes both in player personnel and branding to better fit the characteristics of the New Orleans region. A few months later, the Hornets selected Anthony Davis with the #1 overall draft pick and Austin Rivers with the tenth pick, ushering in what hopes to be a new, bright era of New Orleans basketball.

Goodbye Hornets, Hello Pelicans

True to his word, owner Tom Benson unveiled the teams new name, mascot and colors in a press conference in January of 2013. Starting in the 2013 season, the team will be known as the New Orleans Pelicans, named after Louisiana’s state bird, the Brown Pelican.

Steve Bitter is a Marketing Manager with Bulwark Exterminating, based in Mesa, AZ. Bulwark Exterminating is an industry leader in providing high quality pest control service. Bulwark is fully operational in seven states, including eleven major cities. While Bulwark provides pest extermination for common insects such as ants, roaches, crickets and spiders, the company’s differentiating specialty is scorpion control. Bulwark uses the finest and most effective products in the world to solve common pest problems.

Photo Credits: Wikipedia

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The Sports Archives – The Best Competitive BMX Events!

BMX Racing

BMX Riding at its Finest

For a long time BMX as a sport has always dwelt around the margins of popular sporting culture. It has always had its following but was a sport for the purists, the fanatical and the often insane.

BMX riding hit a high in the late 80s when custom bikes and parts were widely available and the sport gained some notoriety among a growing following.

However, trend and popularity has a way of coming up and down like a half-pipe and in recent years BMX competitions and events have come back with a vengeance. With major BMX events taking place year round, which discipline will be your favourite?

Olympic BMX Riding

The most recent sport to be inducted into the most prestigious sporting event in the world, BMX riding has been included in the last 2 Olympic Games. Initially introduced in Beijing in 2008, the sport took an even more popular position in London 2012.

With such major coverage, this is a massive boon for patrons of the sport and a new sport of interest for the general public. Inclusion at these major events has undeniably played a part in the growing popularity of the sport.

BMX Supercross

Long before the Olympics brought BMX riding into the fold there was Supercross and the Supercross World Cup. Consisting of five events across several countries this is the pies de resistance of competitive BMX racing.

The 2013 World Cup roster will take in events from Manchester (England), Santiago (Argentina), Papendal (Netherlands) and Chula Vista (USA).

X Games

In a sport as versatile as BMX riding there are of course major events that work a little differently from simply being first across the line. While the thrill of a flat-out race can be exciting, the X Games can be spectacular.

Using BMX’s for stunts and extreme tricks can leave the audience in awe as freestyle BMX rider’s pull of a plethora of tricks, grinds and flips such as the Superman, the Nac-Nac and many more.

Championed by such riders as Matt Hoffman and Dave Mirra, freestyle BMX riding is often more associated with skateboarding and other freestyle sporting events than it is with Supercross.

Extreme BMX Stunt Shows

If on the other hand you’re looking for a true spectacle and that element of real danger, then you may want to check out an extreme BMX stunt show. Based more on high-flying and outrageous jumps, you’ll see riders hit spin backwards on their bike in mid-air, perform somersaults and generally defy death.

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Clive Anderson is an avid fan of the X-Games. He works professionally on customised BMX bikes.

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The Sports Archives – Performance Sports Stuff!

Good sports equipment is now more important than ever to athletes. Sports equipment is now part of a billion pound industry. The fact that effective equipment plays a huge part in how an athlete performs, it has become imperative that the athlete is provided with the best equipment available from the beginning.

For runners the use of correct running shoes is essential as they need the right grip and support to help them perform to the maximum. Different surfaces require different grips and different types of support, for example, clay running tracks will require larger spikes on the shoes where as if the person is running on concrete they will not use spikes at all.

Biker wearing SpandexIt’s really important for athletes like cyclists and runners to weigh as little as possible and to be aerodynamic which means that their clothes have to be exceptionally light and tight around their bodies. Lycra clothing is definitely one of the main clothing choices for many athletes due to the fact that it’s tight but it still lets the skin breathe. Tight clothing is essential for any athletes that require speed; clothes that flap in the wind will reduce their time by hundredths of a second, which may not seem a lot, but in the Olympic 100m final it’s everything.

Lycra or Spandex, due to is unique properties, is now even used by triathletes and swimmers. Triathletes use Lycra because they have to swim and it keeps them warm while swimming; once the athletes are out of the water, even though they’re wet, the Lycra is quick drying and will keep them warm for the remainder of their race.

Alistair Brownlee

Alistair Brownlee

The Triathlon is now one of the UK’s fastest growing sport after our current success at this year’s Olympics with Alistair Brownlee and Jonathan Brownlee, who won Gold and Bronze in the 2012 London Olympics.

There is a huge selection of Lycra clothing including hoodies, trousers, t-shirts and even sporting underwear out there and many shops don’t only the most efficient high-tech sport accessories. Most sports shops will cater for all fitness level and not just those that are of Olympic standard. Sports shops sell athletic clothing that is suitable for all ages, genders and sizes of people and the cost won’t break the bank either. So if you want to take on the Olympic heroes, then get yourself down to your local sports shop and kit yourself out with the latest sporting fashions.

Richard Cooper tends to shop online at www.performancesportsstuff.com for most of his sports clothing; he finds their products are great value for money.

Photo Credits: Wikipedia

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The Sports Archives – What Metals The Best Bicycles On The Market Are Made Out Of?

A sturdy bike is composed of several factors: frame, chain tension, and components that make shifting smooth into gear with ease. The bike frame is an important component that can not only support the weight of the rider, but allow for many outside environmental stress factors associated with both short and long distance biking. The best materials can accomplish the following tasks:

  • long distance endurance to cyclical stress
  • high density for durability
  • the ability to hold heavy weight
  • Maximum yield strength for crash strength

Steel

Steel frame of 2000 LeMond Zurich road racing bicycle.

Steel frame of 2000 LeMond Zurich road racing bicycle.

Steel is a popular material used for bikes due to their ease in production and lack of expense. Traditional steel bikes use higher density in frames compared to less expensive tensile steel gauge bike frames. Steel also includes unique features to increase strength:

  • Flex for absorption of shock
  • Reduction in weight with light steel frames

Carbon Fibre

A carbon fiber Trek Y-Foil from the late 1990s.

A carbon fiber Trek Y-Foil from the late 1990s.

Carbon fibre has become popular in recent years with its use in the auto industry as a non-metallic material with its strength and residual beauty. It is a strong substance that allows for highly detailed bicycles that can be made with an aerodynamic profile. It also has characteristics that increase longevity:

  • Corrosion-free tubing
  • Can have a matrix added for stiffness
  • Vibration damping abilities

The most unique aspect of this bike metal is its vibration damping strength. This is why it is used in many vehicles today and as an eco-alternative to some of the other metals.

Titanium

Characteristic weld beads on a titanium frame made by a master craftsman.

Characteristic weld beads on a titanium frame made by a master craftsman.

Although one of the more expensive metals to use in a bike, titanium has many desirable traits that allow for various tube sizes. It is typically used as an alloy material, which means that the material is mixed with a more lightweight material. These alloys were often used in the engineering field due to their ability to handle stress. The standard titanium bike has many strengths:

  • High strength to weight ratio
  • Fantastic corrosion resistance
  • Low weight tubes with high stiffness

Scandium Aluminum Alloy

Another alloy that holds its weight in the metal industry for cycling is the metal scandium. The content of scandium is rather small, but the alloy allows for excellent flexibility in design and advanced welding techniques for unique styles. It is, by itself, a soft metallic chemical in a natural silver-white color.

  • Frames are thinner and lighter than most metals
  • Smaller tubes without sacrificing durability. A smaller tube may make the bike more agile and less weight for the rider overall.

The strength of metal in a bike should not be the only determining factor. You should also consider the rigidity of the frame, shock absorption, and budget at hand. These top metals can remain strong for almost any rider on the market, particularly if the rider is looking for a long term overall bike to serve any purpose that may place stress on the frame. All options should be considered, which includes: price, design style, and intention of biking. Whether you are looking for a mountain bike, riding bike, or a heavy-duty, there is one for you.

William writes for Dynamic Metals stainless steel & titanium suppliers. Look to them for high-grade metals. Metals available include AMS 5643 and many others, visit DynamicMetalsLtd.co.uk today for more information.

Photo Credits:  Wikipedia

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The Sports Archives – Top 5: What Made The Super Bowl So Memorable?

2009 Super Bowl Fireworks

The annual Super Bowl is one of the biggest events in the global sporting calendar, let alone in the United States where over 100 million people regularly watch the extravaganza unfold.

This event always creates a vast number of talking points that keep both the public and the media occupied almost right until the start of the next season. What were the top five memorable moments from 2013 Super Bowl XLVII?

Brotherly Love

2013 Super Bowl XLVII was the first time that brothers had been opposing coaches in the history of the NFL, let alone the season-ending game. No chance of any controversial comments flying in either direction then, but the humility and respect shown between both Jim and John Harbaugh definitely lit the way for all occasions in the future to lean heavily on these two characteristics.

Perhaps the only negative would be to have such a feeling of elation after winning, only to feel bad for your sibling, and vice-versa.

Half Time

The half time show is a legendary feature of the Super Bowl, and Beyonce’s appearance followed Madonna’s from last year in being edgy and daring. Hopefully this will be the way forward in the future, too, as Janet Jackson’s notorious wardrobe malfunction years earlier had paved the way for legendary, yet uninspiring acts such as Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen to monopolize the half time show for a period.

The Fireworks

Super Bowl weekend and the game itself is much more than merely a sporting occasion, it is an all-round entertainment attraction, and a key part of that glitz and glamor is the spectacular fireworks displays that always accompany the end of the game.

Of course, the indoor venue meant they weren’t as great as what you will probably see next year at MetLife Stadium, but they still provided an amazing spectacle both for those in attendance and for those watching on television.

The Game Itself

Despite everything else that goes on around Super Bowl weekend, the main attraction is obviously the game itself. This year’s encounter was a thrilling battle that looked over at half-time, only to turn into one of the best deciders in recent memory.

The fact that both teams were undefeated in Championship games added the extra spice, if any were needed, and the will to win from both teams was obvious.

Ray LewisRay Lewis

Last weekend’s game saw the retirement of legendary linebacker Ray Lewis, who had returned for the Super Bowl having initially hung it up in 2012. Although Lewis didn’t hit the heights that saw him named Super Bowl MVP in 2001, his presence was still felt as the Ravens hung on for a landmark victory.

Stuart is an online content writer across a number of industries. Stuart has a specific interest in how glitz and glamour, such as fireworks demonstrations, adds suspense and drama to sporting events. Several online businesses offer fireworks for sale across the whole year, so people can create their own ‘Super Bowl’ celebrations from their own garden.

Photo Credits:
Fireworks:   http://www.jeb-enterprises.com/images/siteimages/superbowl2009fireworks.jpg
Ray Lewis:  Wikipedia

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The Sports Archives – Tips On How To Plan For A Successful Marathon!

Mumbai Marathon -037

Marathons are great ways to raise awareness for certain charitable causes. They are also a wonderful way to advertise your business or organization’s name out there as most of these marathons receive widespread media coverage. Below are some ways to make sure that your marathon is successful:

Get permits

Paula swooshes by

Your marathon will most likely affect traffic as most of them are held on the streets. You need permission from local authorities so that certain streets can be closed off for a few hours to allow the run to take place. Be sure to apply for the permits in advance because the city needs time to plan diversions and communicate the same to the public.

Get corporate sponsorships

Semi Marathon de Paris 2008 – Selection

The more corporate sponsors a marathon has, the greater its overall chances of success. Remember your main goal is to raise awareness and the much-needed money for your cause. Sponsors can donate time, money or materials to help make your event a success. They may provide or print your T-shirts for free, promote your run in their stores, and even come forward to offer health services such as ambulances, first aid attendants and so forth.

Publicize

Gharib

In order for your event to have a good turnout, people must know that it exists, right? You can advertise on the grass root level by word of mouth or you can go big and book slots on TV and radio stations. Using the internet is also a great and cheap way to publicize your marathon. Your sponsorship partners may also help by promoting the run themselves using flyers, posters or ads on their websites.

Temporary shelters to hydrate the runners

DSC_5096_1039DSC_5096

You must set up water stations during specific intervals of the course so that the runners may stop and get something to drink. This will reduce instances of dehydration which can lead to fainting. Set up a nice big visible temporary shelter for this. Each of these watering stations must have trash receptacles so that the runners do not litter the streets. Instead, they can dispose off the used bottles or cups at these receptacles. These shelters should be made of a durable material that is reflective of the sunshine so that the people serving the drinks do not get affected by the sun’s heat. In addition to these shelters, your emergency services crew and the security crew should also have lots of water supply to help runners who for some reason are unable to make it to the designated watering points.

Make sure that transparency is apparent

DSC_5140_1083DSC_5140

If you designate a charity as the beneficiary of the proceeds of the marathon, be sure that all money less those spent for organizing the marathon do end up there. If financial impropriety is suspected, you risk your reputation, legal ramifications and the inability to ever conduct such an event again. Have an auditor handle the funds and hand them over to the relevant parties once everything has been collected and accounted for. And lastly, if your marathon event is successful, consider having it on an annual basis!

Featured images:

David Hall is the author of this delightful post. He is technophile and has a huge collection of various gadgets. He really loves his portable garage as it gives him the freedom to park his car wherever he wants without having to fear about anything happening to it.

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