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3 Comments

1. 

   Racer, 2 years ago
   

   The 2012 Unleash the Beast Race in Port Gamble was hands down the worst organized event I have participated in a long time. I run/ride in a lot of races, at least 1-2 per month throughout the northwest between spring and fall. There were numerous issues that assured me I’d never do this one again. It started when I arrived just before 8 (the scheduled registration time on the website and 3 emails I received) and the female who was supposed to be helping with parking watched me drive around the parking lot while I wondered where to unload my gear while she drank her coffee with one hand and had the other hand in her jacket pocket from across the parking area. I ended up in the wrong parking area and only then did she come over and tell me to move. Then the registration that was supposed be to from 8-9 didn’t start until 8:50 because the event organizers weren’t prepared or set up for people arriving. Upon finishing the race there were NO refreshments, there wasn’t even water for the racers at the finish. Then came time for awards, at 2:30 according to the schedule, again at 2:30 the event organized told us she needed 10-15 minutes to total the scores (the top 3 teams were finished by 1 at the latest). The last and final straw was after the awards when they were supposed to do a raffle, the event organizer stood in front of everybody and quoted “there’s been a little snafu, all the raffle prizes were given away.” How does that happen? That’s not a snafu, it’s horrible planning and organization on the part of the event coordinator and the Olympic Outdoor Center. I probably wouldn’t have been so annoyed if it didn’t cost $150 to participate in this race, it should have cost about $15, maybe $20 with the shirt. The only good part of this whole event was the course, the one you can ride/run free any day out on the Stottlemeyer trails (and on that note the people at the aid stations on the course had no clue what mile they were at or how much was left, there were NO mile markers on the course) Nice Job to the entire Olympic Outdoor Staff with this, you guys assured me, as well as several of my friends, and the group I raced with that not only will we not participate in this race next year, none of us will ever participate in, or recommend anything that has to do with your name on it.

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     Carolyn Price, 2 years ago
     

     Hi there, thank you very much for your comments. As a sponsor of the event, Outdoors NW does its best to partner with events and associates whom we care about and who we know are great people and doing good things for the community. We are so sorry of your experience and will pass along your comments to the staff at Olympic Outdoor Center. We appreciate you writing to us. – Carolyn Price, Publisher

     Reply
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     Spring Courtright, 2 years ago
     

     Hello Racer,
     This is Spring Courtright, the NW Adventure Sports Festival event director. I’m so sorry to hear you were frustrated and felt the event was poorly organized. We worked really hard on the event and many people did have a great time ~ I wish you had had a better experience! I feel terrible that you didn’t feel it was worth your money ~ I would like to refund your team’s money, so if you e-mail me directly I will do this immediately. My e-mail address is programs@kayakproshop.com.

     We did have racer food and refreshments, both at the bike/run transition area and at the end of the race, and I’m so sad you weren’t directed to them. I also pulled items and raffle tickets and will be sending those out to winners this week.

     Thank you for coming to Port Gamble for the event, and again, my deepest apologies for the frustrations you experienced. I wish you luck in your future races.

     Sincerely,
     Spring Courtright

     Reply

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