Partnering with local newspaper

[pstewart]

I am posting this for Chris Tomlinson of the Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival.

We are looking to forge a partnership with our local newspaper for our race.
We would like them to print full results and pre-sell the paper to
participants-- which they can have mailed to them if they are not local. I
was wondering if you have or could get any data on how successful these
types of programs are at other events and what other ideas folks have come
up with that could be mutually beneficial to the paper and the race. I have
considered: Full Results section, Printed Preview Section, Course Map
"Poster" insert, Good Luck Classifieds, and other ideas.


Any data and input from you and other events would be very helpful.

[TennesseeRunner.com]

That is a great idea! Please post how this goes for ya'll and any tips.

[JimG]

I'm surprised Phil didn't answer the question himself, given his extensive knowledge of the Bix 7, so I'll jump in.

The Bix 7's title sponsor is the Quad City Times, and the paper sees the race as a vehicle to sell lots more copies the day after the race - besides the extensive and excellent coverage, they list all the finishers. In fact, several years ago the reason given for officially timing and scoring the 2-mile Quick Bix, which had heretofore been a Fun Run, was to get all those people to buy a copy to see their name in print.

I'm sure there are other races (Bay to Breakers used to be, and still might be, sponsored by the San Fran Examiner) but Bix jumps first to mind.

[HI-TEK Racing]

Wondering that with the typical posting of results on the internet immediately after a race, would people or do people still buy the paper to see the results?

[pstewart]

We still do a rather extensive program for finishers at the CUCB. It runs 64 pages and has lots of photos, a race story, ads from sponsors, etc. I plan to survey the runners to see how popular it is.

I do think it gives participants one more nice reverie about the race.

Timeliness is important, however. We go to great effort to have it received with 2 months of race race day. We don't consider the results final until 30 days after. This year it was received in late May for an April 1 race. I know I get some print publications 4-6 months after race day which I think diminishes the impact and can reflect negatively on the race management itself.

[JimG]

I think that's why the QC Times is such a "keeper" - as is the NY Times or Boston Globe the day after the marathons in those cities. Beyond just a list of names (which can be had much sooner on the web) there are photos, stories on the elite men & women, the locals, Americans, etc, etc.

Plus, ever try to carry a laptop w/ you to read on in the john?;)