I just got off the phone with the CEO of Ruckus Sports.
He heard us, loud and clear. He understands and accepts that they dropped the ball. They want to make things better, and improve their events, and work through the things people complained about.
- His priority is the course – previously, they have had innovative and challenging courses and course design – and this year, well, not so much. They understand that we missed the signature obstacles we loved from previous years.
- He discussed spectator tickets – as an event that has a history of being the most spectator friendly event on the calendar (which I would agree with whole-heartedly), they get that charging your spouses $20 a head to get in isn’t so friendly.
- We also talked about “medalgate”, and the possible options they have for the future, especially now that glasses are going to be expected by many.
It was a very positive call – Ruckus prides themselves on being leaders in the industry, and are going to great lengths to present a more professional event and experience, something I’ve seen first hand with my behind the scenes work with them. They are also a data driven company – as reviews of their races come in, they make changes to respond to those reviews and ratings.
Which is where I think many of the issues stem from – when someone reviews an obstacle and marks it poorly, is it because the obstacle was at fault, or because they couldn’t do it? That’s the reason the Air Loops were missing – the poorest rated obstacle from 2012. When a review lets Ruckus know that 70% of respondents want glasses instead of medals, that didn’t take into account the emotion the remaining 30% have for medals – or the new runners coming out with their friends and families for their first medal, or that medals are displayed proudly back at home in many places.
Data is something you have to use, but neglecting the emotion and personal feelings is what gave us the lowest ranked event in Ruckus history.
Personally though – I’m confident that they heard us loud and clear, and future events will respond appropriately. I’m signed up to run the Fearless Fall 5k, and I am certainly going to be among the first to sign up for the 2014 event, when it’s available.
Ruckus screwed up. They own it, and they want to fix it. I’m excited to see how they do that next year.
This was my first Ruckus so I have nothing to compare it with as far as challenge.. Loved the glass but would have preferred a medal. I have already signed up for the Fearless 5K and I look forward to new or old obstacles that had been missing.
For me, the interview helped me really pinpoint the main source of my disappointment. It wasn’t so much the missing Ranger Bars or Air Loops (though I did love them and missed them). I missed seeing what new innovative obstacles awaited. They really have set that bar high and that’s what really felt missing. And the medals . 😉
Thanks for the update Paul. I’m very happy to hear that they admit they dropped the ball. I’m already signed up for Fearless Fall as well & can’t wait to see how they improve!
I enjoyed it overall this year but was disappointed like everyone else about the medals. I plan on doing the Fearless 5K as of right now but it is the same day as the Panic in the Dark race…should be a fun day for OCR's 🙂
I'll be back next year. I'm on the fence about the Fearless Fall 5K…but I'll no doubt get over that obstacle ;-p.