Jeff Suffolk of Louisville, Colorado loves Omaha, as well he should. The 32 year old founder of Human Movement Management returned over the weekend and conducted another wildly successful event. Over 5000 participants (I almost used the word runners) showed up yesterday morning to “drink beer and have fun”. The Ugly Sweater Run, the same theme Suffolk used to get locals to turn out in large numbers for the Color Run and Dirty Girl Mud Run.
And so in a moment of darkness, that will be shed tomorrow I promise, I dub 2012 the Year of the Novelty Run (Warrior Dash, Mud Run, Color Me Rad, ad infinitum). And I use the word Run very loosely. Let’s call these events what they are. Parties. No race times, no certified courses (go ahead and chuckle), no competition or awards for the top finishers (our own Tim Langdon was the overall “winner”), stop and stand in line if you want a snow or rainbow dousing.
Consider for a moment- and as a very seasoned race administrator I’m in the position to posit a pretty good guess to this- Mr. Suffolk pocketed roughly $300,000 from the above 3 events. Yes, yes, there were nominal donations made to local charities, but this cat knows how to make money party hand over novelty fist.
Just imagine if we could get these types of numbers to support the Omaha Running Club events. What could Team Nebraska do with that type of community support? LTC has had it figured out for a very long time, blending grass roots, good social exchange, and competitive races, a great program and a great marathon as a result.
What is this magic? I hope to catch and bottle some for our upcoming Jingle Bell Run on December 24th, benefiting the Open Door Mission. And again on January 1st for the Hair of the Dog Run, benefiting the Food Bank of the Heartland. Both have noon starts at the Zorinsky Boat Ramps. Both a great chance to come out and support local efforts to assist our less fortunate neighbors.
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