Good Sports

by Budd Glassberg

Reprinted with permission from the Zionsville Times Sentinel on January 31, 2007

Deal of the Century

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

ZTS: In past years, the Zionsville Anti-Mini Marathon (ZAMM) has responded to its rival event the Indianapolis Mini Marathon (IMM) by one-up-man ship. If memory serves us, in 2003 the ZAMM opened the event to all runners with no limit on the field when the IMM closed its field at 25,000. In 2004, the IMM went to two starting lines to alleviate the starting congestion and the ZAMM promised to open up numerous starting lines such that participants would never have to stand more than three persons from the starting line. If the line got too deep, the ZAMM opened up new starting lines to accommodate the runners. In 2005 the IMM moved it’s starting time up from 8:00 to 7:30 AM to keep the runners from running in the hotter temperatures of the day. The ZAMM responded by starting at 7:25 thereby allowing its runners to finish earlier and get home before their IMM peers. This year the IMM filled its field of 35,000 on November 27, 2006. For the first time, the IMM is allowing runners to transfer their entries to another person for the bargain administrative transfer fee of only $20. First, are you planning to hold the event again this year and second, how will you respond to the IMM’s offer to transfer entries?

BG: Let me begin by stating that we will be holding the fifth running of the ZAMM on May 5, 2007 at 7:25 AM. Allow me now to review the two races for your readers who are unaware of the feuding events. Four years ago when the IMM closed its entries at 25,000 in early February, I was locked out of the race. Several of my running buddies were also too late to register 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 in 2003 and over 200 in 2004, 250 in 2005 and close to 300 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 3.1, 6.2, 9.3, 12.4 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 Indianapolis, 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 each year. Therefore I am officially announcing the fifth running of the Zionsville Anti-Mini Marathon that will take place this year again on the same day as the IMM.

ZTS: You still haven’t told us how you will respond to the IMM allowing runners to transfer their entries.

BG: I am encouraging all official entrants in the IMM to sell their entries on EBay to those unsuspecting runners willing to pay in excess of $100 plus the bargain administrative transfer fee of $20. They can pocket the profit between what they paid and the revenue of the EBay sale. Then they can enjoy the beautiful Anti-Mini course for free. In addition, if they finish the full 13.1 miles in the Anti-Mini event they may choose to receive a generous cash reward.

ZTS: Are you telling us that there is no entry fee for your event and finishers will receive cash?

BG: Yes, actual cash money. Those runners wishing to keep their amateur status may decline the generous cash awards. We are able to provide cash awards without having an entry fee due to a bighearted unanimous donor.

ZTS: Don’t you mean anonymous donor?

BG: No, everyone is for him.

ZTS: How much money will the finishers receive?

BG: I am not at liberty to divulge that at this time; however I will say that the first twenty-three finishers, who elect to take the cash money, will be receiving a four figure amount (six if you count two decimal places). The remaining finishers will receive somewhat less, but still a generous amount.

ZTS: Will the run have tee-shirts?

BG: The ZAMM once again will not be selling tee shirts, however, due to the creative designs of prior years’ participants (see www.runz.com for pictures of tee shirts), we will be requesting (not requiring) that runners show up with an old Indianapolis 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, or you can skip. Dogs are also welcome if they are on a leash.

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 5, 2007 before 7:25 AM and put your name on the list. You may park behind the town hall (across from the McDonalds) and walk south ½ mile on the rail-trail 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: Any last words of advice?

BG: Go to the restroom before coming to the park (we have no facilities). Get there early because we start on time (last year several people missed the start). If it’s wet, prepare for mud. Join the growing countercultures who say no to crowds.

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