First, a bit about you—

A. Have you run a trail race prior to this year's BRR?
Yes: 162 (94%) No: 11 (6%)
B. Have you completed a run longer than 50 km prior to this year's BRR?
Yes: 147 (85%) No: 26 (15%)
C. Have you run the BRR before this year?
Yes 98 (57%) No 75 (43%)
D. Your Age:  

Age Decade	20s	30s	40s	50s+
Respondents	15	44	64	50
	9%	25%	37%	29%
All Runners	34	99	121	83
	10%	29%	36%	25%

Rating Options for first nine questions:

1-Very Poor 2-Poor 3-Fair 4-Good 5-Very Good

1. The BRR Web site was—4.73

Comments:
Suggestions for improvement of the Web site included listing the Hemlock address, making a prominent link for first runners, and improved directions to aid stations. One person thought the style was a "little dated." A few wanted a better description of the course, an elevation chart, and more pictures of the course.

2. The BRR entry and waiting list procedure was—4.68

Comments:
There were many comments about the entry system. Many thought it was fair and liked it. Some said it was either confusing or unnecessary. One or two specifically endorsed a first come, first served entry process. Other suggestions were setting aside a number of entries for "new runners," and giving priority to VHTRC members. A couple of people mentioned the stress of being on the wait list and one said he did not receive notice that he got into the race from the wait list.

3. The quality of the entrant shirt was—4.46

Comments:
The comments about the shirts were mixed. Several mentioned that they liked the color, style, and logo. On the other hand, there were those who did not like the color or logo. One thought the shirt was too high quality and another suggested a no-shirt entry option. There were shirt related comments in other questions.

4. The pre-race briefing was—4.57 (110 selected "did not attend" and did not make a rating)

Comments:
Most comments said that the briefing was unnecessary because the on-line one was sufficient. One person noted that the second presentation of the briefing started earlier than advertised on the Web site.

5. The course markings were—4.80

Comments:
Most comments on the course marking were positive. A few felt that there were problems with the markings in the Do Loop. On the other hand, one person thought the Do Loop was especially well marked and another felt the course was over marked.

6. The aid stations were—4.84

Comments:
(Please include what you most liked and what you would like to see but didn't at the aid stations.)
There were many specific positive comments about the aid stations and the helpfulness of the volunteers. There were some who wanted gels and/or another sports drink besides Gatorade. Several liked the fruit (though one noted that it was out in the sun at one aid station) and many liked the pizza and perogies at the Do Loop aid station and the popsicles and ice cream at WRS. There were thanks for having the S Caps.

7. The post race food was—4.58 (36 did not eat)

Comments:
The comments on the post race barbecue were overwhelmingly positive. Two issues that were raised were availability for slow runners and vegetarian options. Some late finishing runners said that some food choices had run out when they arrived, others were pleasantly surprised that there was food for them. There were compliments on the vegetarian options but a couple either didn't see them or wanted more. Two people suggested chicken. One person specifically commended the homemade cookies.

8. The post race atmosphere was—4.81 (14 selected "didn't attend" and did not make a rating)

Comments:
Everyone loved the post race environment. There were a couple of comments about the difficulty of finding a seat and about the cold showers. Several compliments on the music.

9. The quality of the age group award was—4.16 (130 selected "didn't observe or no opinion" and did not make a rating)

Comments:
There were very few comments on this question. Several noted that the age group awards didn't matter to them. One thought that the words "Division Award" on the age group award were too generic. Another thought that the Top 10 award (a visor) should not have said, "Top 10" and should be a running visor.

10. Finishers Award. I prefer (please enter any specific suggestions in comment)—

Clothing: 93 (55%)
Non-clothing item (chair, bag, etc.): 22 (13%)
Other item (enter in comment box): 13 (8%)
No opinion/don't care: 42 (25%)
Didn't answer: 3
Comments:
Suggested other options: Medals 6 Bags/backpacks 4 Shorts 3 Mugs 3

11. Entrants Shirt Color. I prefer entrants shirts that are—

Traditional Bull Run Run Colors (Blue and Gray) 49 (28%)
Non-traditional colors (like last year's orange/yellow or this year's lime green) 35 (20%)
Either one 52 (30%)
No opinion/don't care 36 (21%)
Didn't answer: 1
Comments:
The comments for this question were all over the ballpark. Many expressed a preference but noted that it was no big deal to them. Some thought the traditional blue-gray colors were good especially since they furthered the Civil War theme and the history of the run. Others liked the more modern colors though the lime green shirt this year drew both praise and the opposite. Several suggested switching back and forth between traditional and non-traditional colors.

12. [For females only] Unisex/female sizing. The fact that the entrant's shirt was not available in women's sizing—

Didn't matter to me 17 (40%)
Somewhat disappointed me 14 (33%)
Greatly disappointed me 11 (26%)
I am male and just want to push a button 75
Didn't answer 56
Comments:
There were many comments about the sizing of the shirts. Most comments seemed to go to sizing as opposed to cut. Some did not know that it was men's sizing when they picked their shirt size. A couple of people said that they prefer men's sizing. There was a split over whether an extra small was small enough for a petite woman. Two said it was not, one said it was.

13.When it comes to buying awards and finishers premium, I would rather you —

Buy good but not top-of-line items and keep the entry fee down 72 (42%)
Buy top quality items even if you must raise the entry fee to do so 59 (34%)
Don't care/no opinion 41 (24%)
Didn't answer 1
Comments:
Several of the responses said, in effect, that they were happy with the cost/swag/quality balance the VHTRC has. Several indicated that they could "go either way." Several pointed out that they don't run for the swag. On the specific question of whether to raise the entry fee or keep it low, both views were represented. One respondent decried that runners are cheap while another pleaded to keep entry fees low.

14. Energy Replacement Drink. I prefer—

Gatorade 65 (38%)
Some other energy replacement drink (enter in comment) 39 (23%)
Anything (I drink it, but don't have a preference) 53 (31%)
None (I don't use an energy replacement drink) 16 (9%)
Comments:
Others: Heed 13 NOT Heed 4 Succeed 4 Powerade 3 Accerade 3 Cytomax 3 Others receiving votes: Conquest, Nuun, Propel, Perpetuum, Ultima, Powerbar Endurance

15. Team Competition. Should we keep the team competition? (Please enter any suggestions in comment box.)

Yes 107 (63%)
No 4 (2%)
Don't care/no opinion 60 (35%)
Didn't answer 2
Comments:
There was fairly large support for the team competition. Several noted it was fun and added to the event. There were comments on the low quality of the team awards (though one person wished he had received a coffee mug) and the difficulty of forming a team in light of the lottery. Two suggested we have a division for all male teams and another suggested North and South teams. One respondent suggested that a good name for the female team division would be "Scarlet O'Harriers or O'Harriettes"

16. Hemlock Accommodations Is it likely you would stay at the accommodations at Hemlock if you came back to the event?

Yes (please enter reason in comment) 21 (12%)
No (please enter reason in comment) 70 (40%)
No opinion 82 (47%)
Comments:
Yes Reasons: Convenience - 7 Like Camping - 4 Thrifty - 4 No Reasons Live local - 45 Snoring, etc - 7 Prefer Motel - 15 Have children - 2

17. Based on your experience this year, do you want to run the BRR again?

Definitely not 1 (1%)
Probably not 0 (0%)
Might/might not 8 (5%)
Probably 16 (9%)
Definitely 148 (86%)
Please tell us Why or Why Not:
Most respondents seemed to reserve comments that might have applied here for the last question. Most said they want to come back next year.

Overall Comments/Recommendations
There were many diverse comments for this last question. Most, one way or the other, liked the event and urged us not to change it significantly. Some of the critical comments were the flavor of the Gatorade, cold showers, parking difficulty, pre-race dinner ("just ok," "weak"), large size of the finisher's award.