Citing excessive costs for policing, and resistance to requisite road closures, the organizers of the Commitment Day 5K scheduled for New Year’s Day have moved the event from the downtown course that was originally announced. The start time is also now 90 minutes earlier – a puzzling shift. The event will now kick off at 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot of Lifetime Fitness at the Rim at 5639 Worth Parkway. Participants will walk and run a course down Vance Jackson and back to the Lifetime Fitness parking lot. Registration will open at 6:30 a.m.
These changes are not insignificant. The original plan was much better. The 10 a.m. start acknowledged the late-night nature of New Year’s Eve celebrations and removed the first objection many would raise to participating in an event like this on New Year’s Day — an early morning start. Even those who might normally take an 8:30 a.m. start in stride might think twice about signing up for one on New Year’s morning. This scheduling change runs counter to the event’s stated goal of encouraging everyone — particularly those who need it most — to take action in creating a healthier lifestyle.
[For more information about the event and Hugh’s personal health goals, read his previous article, The “New” New Years Resolution: Commitment Day.]
The change of venue also raises a number of questions. Why did the city allow this event to move out of downtown, when it seems so well-aligned with the SA2020 Health and Fitness goals? Why were event organizers not fully prepared for the costs before setting and accepting registration fees? Why had they not arranged for the requisite road closures before announcing a downtown course? Is it not strange that the event ended up starting and ending in the parking lot of one of its corporate sponsors? And finally, why are those of us who registered based on the originally-announced details not being offered refunds now that everything has changed? Despite reaching out to the local event organizer, I’ve not been able to get answers.
Having said all this, I plan to honor the intent of the Commitment Day — committing to a healthier lifestyle in 2013 and beyond — even without participating in the official event. I will be joining a number of my friends and neighbors to walk a 5K route we’ve mapped out around downtown and Southtown. We’ll be meeting at 10:00 a.m., so everyone can ring in the New Year at midnight and still get a good eight hours of sleep first.
We can all walk, run or bike — alone, or with friends and neighbors — wherever we are. We can do it in our neighborhoods or in our city parks or along the River Walk. Whether you participate in the official Commitment Day event, or do your own thing, I encourage you to make a commitment to your health, and kick off the New Year with a step (or two) in the right direction by getting out there on New Year’s Day and walking, running or biking 5K!
Hugh Donagher builds web sites and consults on social media strategy for small businesses and nonprofit organizations in the neighborhood and beyond. He occasionally blogs at Texas Yankeeand Alamo City Cocktails. He and his partner are charter members of the Southtown Lions Club and they can be found out and about at many of the establishments and events going on in Southtown.
Great article. Having moved recently from the far Northside to Southtown, I completely agree that the change of venue was less than desirable. I plan on showing up at 10 with my camera.
BTW I didn’t see the map link on Facebook, so maybe you could repost that plus the starting area.
Thank you very much,
Kevin
I’ve updated the link so it takes you to the actual route map. Here it is for quick reference: http://goo.gl/maps/7RglT
It’s unfortunate that the organizers would not justify/explain their actions. What about the city – would they explain what they proposed to charge for downtown police vs. northtown police? I have heard that it is scandalous what police charge for this sort of activty. Love to hear a first-hand report on that subject.
The organizer claims the SAPD was charging 2.5 times their normal hourly rate, but I don’t have confirmation on that, nor any comment from the city yet. The organizer has not responded to my follow up email or phone call.
It is good to know what’s going on, that sounds like quite a disappointment.
This event is backed by Lifetime fitness who also cancelled their San Antonio “Grand Fondo” cycling event last year. So the change is probably due more to a lack of planning on their part than anything else. I am very active and fully support people getting outside and changing their lifestyle for the better. I think the take home message for this should be: You shouldn’t have to pay 50 bucks for a T-shirt and to walk 3 miles, or to ride a bike for 12 miles or whatever. That is the worst weight-loss plan I’ve ever heard of…
There are over 80 miles of Greenway trails with a total plan of 130 miles that surround the City and can be accessed quickly from just about any part of Bexar County. There will soon be over 20 miles of Hike and Bike trails along the River in the center of the City (currently about 13) you can find out about those here: http://www.sanantonio.gov/parksandrec/pdfs/GreenwayBrochureMap01312012.pdf There are also countless community parks with trail systems, many neighborhoods with good pedestrian amenities, and a Government Canyon State Natural Area with more “Backcountry” trails for the more adventurous. People need to get out and do this on their own FOR FREE!!! (actually with tax revenues that they’ve already payed for/ will continue to pay for in the future for new development and maintenance)
I am starting my 2013 walking on January 5 by participating in a Volksmarch that starts at Trinity University – two interesting 10K routes (Monte Vista or Alamo Heights) with 5K routes available – $3 entry fee. Everyone is welcome. Walk or run at your own pace. Start any time between 8 a.m. and 12 noon, finish no later than 3 p.m. Do both 10K routes if you start early enough. One of many Volksmarch events held in the area thoughout the year. See flyer. – http://www.randolphroadrunners.info/events/130105-trinity.pdf
Wish I could join you all!