The best time to catch the action is from 8-9am as the teams prepare, recieve race instructions at 8:30 and start at 9am, or from 4-5pm as the teams come back in to the finish line full of great stories. Catching teams in action on the course might be tough since they will be so spread out and heading in different directions, but you might be able to catch teams in Schenck Forest as they pass through the ropes course during the day.

Gladiator 5k Leaves Many Seeking Refunds
http://www.wral.com/5onyourside/story/9671899/

Seems I always learn about the 9-1-1 too late to do much about it. May try and get out there with the video camera and catch some of the action. Thirsty turtles, eh?

I spoke to numerous participants who were unhappy about the misleading marketing. As an advertising professional, it really upsets me to see someone run an event, especially a charity event, so unethically (as I’m sure you’re upset by those who write stories that are half made up).

So much was promised and so little delivered. I ran the Rugged Maniac in Asheboro just the month before. That race lived up to its name. Mud, great obstacles, and a great party afterwards.

I convinced several friends to pay upwards of $80 to do the Gladiator because of how it was promoted. On Facebook and on their website. Have you seen the photos on their website? Where were those from? The descriptions of the obstacles? Way out of line. Not even close. No “mud pits”. No “three sets of cargo nets”. No “rope bridge…with 29 feet of rope”. No “fire jumping”. No “never ending valley of tires”. No “80ft of camo nets”. No “after party”. Not even water to drink on a hot, hot day. I’ve never been to a charity 5k that didn’t have water and food at the end for the runners. That’s just wrong.

I would understand if a couple of things didn’t go as planned (like the medals didn’t arrive on time). I’d understand if the town of Cary didn’t let them do some of the things they planned (like the monkey bars). But all this, and there wasn’t water on the course (an asthmatic runner on our team had to stop halfway). There weren’t volunteers at most obstacles (serious problem if someone got hurt out there). I don’t even recall a parametric being on hand.

Now, I’m willing to pay a lot to run these races (I paid just under $70 for this one). I’m willing to recruit my friends, family and coworkers (I put together a team of 10). And I’m also for raising money for a good cause (I’ve volunteered for the Ovarian Cancer Walk and 5k Run going on 9 years). And I’m all for more of these events and for more people getting out more.

BUT, I am NOT for deceptive marketing.

I also want to know what happened to the money? How much was donated to the Special Olympics? The event took in well over $50k. Probably closer to $60k. No way they spent that much putting it on. So, where’s the money?

I pose all this to you, not because you had anything to do with it, but because by writing a story, using them as the focus, you’ve given them the best advertising money can’t buy. And I hope that it doesn’t lead others to be fooled by this race.

Something isn’t right here.