This is blog 2 from my Publix GA Half Marathon expeirence. Click Here to read blog 1, the “Pain” blog.
8 minutes 24 seconds after the starters gun went off I crossed the start line in a moderate walk. If you’ve ever been to a nail bitter college football game that came down to the last second and then had to squeeze yourself out of the stadium because everyone stayed till the bitter end, you have a general sense of the number of people crossing the start line at one time. A massive movement of humanity!
As I was injoying the odiferous immenation (who smells like that before the race even starts?) I began to wonder how the fine people at the US Road Sports and Entertaiment Group do it? By “it” I mean, how do they get 18,000 people to move in the same direction toward a common goal that requires alot of suffering. You suffer in preperation, in the event, and after the event in recovery. 
These are some thoughts I had, I’d love to hear yours as well.
Create an experience people can share – People bond through difficult situations
Raise the bar of expectation - Push people out past what they think is possible
Let it cost something – Financially, Emotionally, Spiritually, Physically
Benefit other people – This is obvious, but very prevelent at races. Half the people in race had “Cause” T-shirts
Volunteering is participating – There were thousands of excited volunteers at the 1/2 Marathon. I’m thankful to every one of them, especially the one I accidentally threw a cup of water on.
Pray for Japan – This has nothing to do with getting people moving, but it is the right thing to do. Every person of Asian decent I saw had a “Pray For Japan” shirt on. I made a point to pat them all on the back and pray for them. You should too.
You can’t do it alone – Engage other organizations who want to serve. Almost all the volunteers were part of other organizations who look for service opportunities.
Create the hype - ”Streakers” are the people who’ve run this race every year. Being consistent is one of the keys to success for the race organizers. Are you consistent?
Get off the sidelines - The most excited people I saw all day were the spectators. Not sure this is a key to success, but it reminds me alot of our church culture. It seems like there are very excited people sitting on sideline with a cup of coffee telling me pain is temporary. Suffering is part of the journey.
So what are your thoughts? How do we get our people moving in the same direction?
