There Answer....From Long Beach Marathon

I sent a letter the CEO of the marathon, and here is there answer.  I will admit, I was shocked that they got back to me at all. 

Take note, they spelled my name wrong, but did follow up with a second letter telling how sorry she was over that.

Hi Luna,

First of all, thank you for being out at the race on Sunday; we really
appreciate your involvement!

We apologize for your disappointment in not receiving a finisher's medal and
we have added you and Cynthia to a list that will receive a medal by mail.
We will get it out to you as soon as we are able to get more produced.
Could you please have Cynthia get in touch with me with her mailing address?


I would like to convey to you how important it is to us that our athletes
have a good experience, and that most certainly includes receiving a medal
at the end of the race.  To our unfortunate amazement, we had so many
unregistered and unpaid runners (bandits) that ran in the race this year
that our surplus of at least 300 medals disappeared before legitimate
athletes were able to cross the finish line to claim what was rightfully
theirs.  We are taking this very seriously and are already talking about
ways that we can rectify the situation for the race in 2009.  

Thanks again for getting in touch with us.

Leslie Elison
Event Director
International City Racing
O: 562.427.4606 x 226
C: 562.355.5588

Lu,

That is great that they got back  to you.  Honestly, I knew they would.  I had contacted  a couple staff members prior to the race, and they responded immediately.

My question is how could they let "unregistered and unpaid runners" slip through the cracks to recieve a reward that they did not earn in the first place?  Seem like there should have been and /or should be some system of checks and balances in place.

I am glad that you and Cynthia will be getting your medals soon.

Kim

I could see one or two getting by, but 300 of them??? BS@!!!! is what I have to say to that. I think they mis ordered and are using that as an answer to there F U

But Yap we do get the medal.

LL

Sounds like you are right on the money.  Not only did they not get enough for the "registered" runners, did not take into consideration the late registrations at the expo.

Sounds like mismanagement to me!!
Sorry you have to wait.

HUGS
JOY

yah to me too. I ran a race a few years ago where I promised a friend I would not leave his side the whole. We where the last two to finish the race, and they still had medal for us.

I think they messed up the order and this is the excuse.

LL

I've run as a bandit a few times, I admit it....but I'd feel guilty taking a medal at the end of it. I'm a chicken too, I'm afraid I'd get in trouble! 

I'm glad you're getting a medal though.

Yeah and this apology is posted on their site too.

I would think that the volunters should be told to only give medals those with numbers on =) but hey they don't pay me the big bucks...

Luana,

That really sucks!  I am so glad that the race organizers contacted you, but it's still not the same as receiving a medal at the end of the race!  You are a superstar in my eyes, I am so proud of you!

Coach Scott

Cool that they got back to you and they'll mail your medal.  A tad anticlimactic by then though, eh? 
I still think it's awesome you made it through to the end and I know you'll have a special place for the medal when it arrives.

Congratulations again.
---jan---