Good Sports

by Budd Glassberg

Reprinted with permission from the Zionsville Times Sentinel on January 7, 2004

The Anti-Mini Alternative

The Zionsville Times Sentinel sat down with Budd Glassberg, Race director of the Zionsville Anti-Mini Marathon for an interview about his upcoming event.

ZTS: With the recent press on the change of the start of the Indianapolis Mini-Marathon (IMM) and its increase in participants, how will the Zionsville Anti-Mini Marathon (ZAMM) respond?

BG: First a little review of the two races. Last year when the IMM closed it’s entries at 25,000 in early February, I was locked out of the race. Several of my running buddies were also too late so I decided to hold a run in Zionsville and open it free to any runners who wanted to run. I called the run the Anti-Mini due to its contrast with the IMM. The ZAMM had 49 runners last year. While the IMM cost $40 and you had to sign up for it months in advance hoping you don’t get injured, the ZAMM was free and you could just come on race day. The IMM required you to finish 13.1 miles or you have to drop out. The ZAMM allows you to run 3.2, 6.4, 9.6, 12.8 or 13.1 miles. The IMM was completely on hard surfaces with almost no shade. The ZAMM was entirely on soft surfaces and shaded by Nancy Burton and Starkey Parks serene settings. The IMM had computerized chip-timing system; the ZAMM had a big clock. The IMM had hundreds of volunteers, medical aid, several aid stations along the way and hundreds of port-a-potties. The ZAMM had nothing but a picnic table to put your own aid on and some bushes for privacy. The IMM had medals awarded to each finisher. The ZAMM had nothing. The IMM had long-sleeved tee shirts “given” to all who registered. The ZAMM had none. For the IMM, you had to drive downtown, find parking and fight the crowds. The ZAMM was close with free parking and no crowds. The ZAMM participants liked the experience so much that they were adamant about it returning this year. Therefore I am officially announcing the second annual Zionsville Anti-Mini Marathon that will take place this year again on the same day and same time as the IMM.

ZTS: The IMM is going from two to one starting line this year, how will the Anti react?

BG: The ZAMM will change from one to two starting lines, converging approximately twenty meters from the picnic table. If the ZAMM grows even larger, we promise our participants that they will never have to stand more than three persons from the starting line. If the line gets too deep, we will open up new starting lines to accommodate our runners. Say no to the IMM congested start and say yes to the ZAMM.

ZTS: The IMM is increasing the number of participants this year from 25,000 to 30,000, how will this affect the Anti Mini?

BG: The IMM was certainly feeling the effect of competition from the ZAMM and raised their numbers to try to offset the dent the ZAMM has made in their prior monopoly. The ZAMM expects to grow at a rate much greater than the 20% growth of the IMM this year.

ZTS: Is it true the ZAMM will be giving away awards this year?

BG: Although there will still be no charge for the race, this year the ZAMM will be awarding cash prizes to all runners finishing the 13.1-mile course. For those runners wishing to keep their amateur status, they can decline the generous cash awards.

ZTS: What about tee shirts this year?

BG: The ZAMM once again will not be selling tee shirts, however, due to the creative designs of last years participants (see www.runz.com for pictures of some of last years tee shirts), we will be requesting (not requiring) that runners show up with an old Mini tee decorated to show the Anti-Mini spirit. If you don’t have an old Mini tee you want to desecrate, you can always desecrate some other tee.

ZTS: Is it OK to walk the Anti?

BG: Yes.

ZTS: How do I sign up?

BG: You don’t. Just show up at the picnic table at the entrance to Nancy Burton Memorial Park on Saturday, May 9, 2004 by 8:00 AM and put your name on the list. You may park at the Starkey Road lot, or behind the new town hall and walk to the start. Bring what you will need for refreshment or aid and leave it on the picnic table.

ZTS: How will I find out how I did in the Anti-Mini?

BG: Results will be posted that evening at www.runz.com. Participants will write their distance and times on the sign-up sheet at the picnic table and I will post those results.

ZTS: Is this for real or are you just pulling my leg?

BG: It is for real. We got a lot of press last year, even an interview on WIBC. To a person, the 49 participants last year were delighted with this event. We all got to sleep later on race day morning, got home earlier, paid less money, were not as hot, tired, blistered or sunburned as our IMM brothers. If you are in an IMM rut, you should consider the ZAMM alternative.

Budd Glassberg is a resident of Zionsville who is active in the local running community. He has been race director of several events and was the Zionsville Middle School and High School Cross-Country coach. You can reach him by email at budd@runz.com or visit his website at www.runz.com.