Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs)
Often times several people will have the same
question. This section of our website is
dedicated to those questions that we receive on a regular basis. Please check out the questions and answers
below. If your question is not answered
below then please feel free to contact a board
member or race director. Thanks.
Membership
How can I become a track club member?
Please visit our membership page to download a membership
application. We appreciate your interest
in our club and look forward to you becoming a member.
What are the benefits to being a track club member?
There are many
benefits to becoming an HTC member. Many of the benefits are outlined on our membership page. In addition to what is listed you are also
supporting the sport at the local level which provides opportunities for all of
us to run.
Training
Do you have training groups I can hook up with?
The club does not
have any organized training groups but we do list some that we are made aware of. Also, FleetFeet
Sports has a number of training groups that leave from their store or other
locations around town.
Where is a good place to run in
We have compiled a page listing several of our race courses,
along with maps, for your use. In
addition, this page also lists
several other areas around town that are good for running.
Running Gear
What can I do with my old running shoes?
The HTC and FleetFeetSports Huntsville have teamed up to
recycle shoes. The new program is
replacing the Shoe Amnesty program previously undertaken by the HTC. This new program will place gently used shoes
(any shoes, not just running shoes) in the hands of people in need of
shoes. This program will be feeding
shoes to the group Soles for Souls. Shoes will be collected at FleetFeetSports Huntsville but will not be
collected at races anymore.
Races/Events
Can I run with headphones, a baby jogger, etc?
Because all HTC races are conducted under RRCA liability
insurance the use of headphones, baby joggers, etc are prohibited. While these devices may be OK for training
runs (if used appropriately and safely) the crowded conditions of a race make
them unsafe for the user as well as those around them. These regulations are for your safety and the
safety of the runners around you. Please
be considerate of others. In addition,
the USATF has banned headphones from
all sanction events. You risk
disqualification if caught wearing headphones.
Headphones are any device worn in, on or around the ear for the purpose
of listening to music or other audio not related to the ambient sounds of the
environment.
Can I start a race early because I cannot make a cutoff
time, or I have a flight to catch, etc?
Unfortunately we
cannot allow early (or late) starts at any of our events. Because of the necessity to obtain event
permits for the city for use of the streets for our events we are required to
maintain a tight schedule of when we are on the course. As such we cannot allow individuals on a race
course before an official start time.
The courses would not be secured by police and for longer events there
would be no aid stations, etc. Your request
might seem simple, but multiplied by the number of runners in an event can
quickly become unmanageable.
Can I get a refund? Transfer my number to another runner?
Defer an entry to next year’s event?
Because many of the
items for a race are purchased long before event day and are purchased based on
early entry numbers we cannot refund entry fees. Also, because we must know the identity of
each person in our events in case of emergency we do not allow transfer of
numbers, even if done so through race officials. There is simply too much that a race director
must do in the weeks and day just before a race to add the additional workload
of transferring race entrant data. Your
request might seem simple, but multiplied by the number of runners in an event
can quickly become unmanageable.
Can the HTC direct a race
for my organization, charity, etc?
In general the HTC does not direct races for outside organizations
or charities. The club does have some
existing agreements with local organizations but those are decided on a case by
case basis. The club simply does not
have the manpower to staff all our own events as well as events for other
organizations. Some things to consider
in putting on an event are local permits required, liability insurance,
t-shirts and awards, course layout and certification, scoring, and finding
volunteers. This is by no means an
exhaustive list but merely provide some things to consider. In general, a suitably priced event will NOT
make much if any profit if relying solely on race entry fees. In order to utilize a road race as a fund
raising activity you will need to secure outside sponsorship. If you have specific questions you may contact the club president for more
information.
How does my group go about putting on a race, possibly to
raise money?
This question is often
presented to the club but unfortunately does not have a simple answer. A few things to consider if you are thinking
about putting on a road race:
·
Most
races DO NOT make money. If you are trying to raise money you will
need to solicit sponsorship from outside businesses. Raising your entry fee to raise funds is
usually not a good idea as people are only willing to pay so much to run a
race. If you want to raise funds there
are much easier ways then putting on a road race.
·
Course
layout – You will need to get any race course approved by the city of
·
Course
date – DO NOT schedule your race on
a date already used by an existing event.
Not only is it very poor taste but most runners will run an existing
event rather than a new, unproved one so you will ultimately be hurting your
own event.
·
Make
sure you have plenty of volunteers.
Failure to adequately staff your event will results in a sub par event
that will quickly be branded by runners as an event not to do.
·
Liability
Insurance – This may be required by any facilities you use.
·
T-shirts/Awards
– There are numerous vendors who can supply these typical race amenities.
Remember, there is
far more that goes into a race than just what occurs on race day. If you have specific questions you may contact the club president for more
information.
Can I rent HTC equipment?
HTC equipment is
available for rent by other clubs and races.
Please click here for more
information.
Can I have my race posted on the HTC
website?
Yes, the HTC posts race notices for other local events. Please visit our Other Events page for
details on how to submit your race and the required format for submission.
Last Updated: 18 November 2009