Arrogant marshall at Deloitte Challenge this weekend..

[shaunpillai]

Just to blow off some steam

 

Yesterday my Dad set out to do his training marathon for his upcoming Comrades. The M4 was closed for the marathon and cycle race that was to start at 06:00 and 06:30. We live along the M4 coast so had no way to get onto the N2 to get to Ballito apart from crossing over the route. My Mom was on her way to drop my Dad off at the start when one of the marshal's refuses to let her(along with a string of cars) cross the road. My Mom eventually gets out of her car and tells the guy that there hasn't been anyone cycling for a few minutes and that they had no other route to the start. The guy first ignores her , then tells her thats tough , then tells her that she should have woken up earlier. The cop standing there said that the marshal refuses to obey their laws. 

Eventually a few people from the other cars(who needed to get to the race) removed the beacons themselved and drove accross when they could.

 

She unfortunately did not get the name of this arrogant individual and after the race he was replaced by someone else.

 

Dear Marshal(Hope this finds you someday)

We understand that marshals do volunteer and sacrifice their time to come out and assist , but please use some common sense at times and do obey the police. It is a privilege having the road to ourselves on a public holiday and arrogant people like yourself are going to take that away from us oneday. 

Secondly , my parents are over 60yrs old , show some respect when you are talking to your elders!

 

Thankfully my Dad got to the start in time and looking forward to his 20th Comrades !

[Jigghead]

Whilst I agree that most marshals are huge pains in the asses and seem to revel in the 'power' their respective positions bestow upon them, don't forget that they are subjected to huge amounts of abuse, often by participants and more often by those who don't give a sh~t about the athletes the marshals are there to protect.

 

They are volunteers as you said, but they are also told in no uncertain terms by the organisers, not to bend the rules for anyone. This is to ensure the safety most of the participants take for granted when enjoying road closure.

 

Was there no notice regarding the imminent road closures? Not sure about most other events, but for 94.7, signage is up well in advance to warn participants and non-participating residents alike. As a participant, did your old man check the website or other media to confirm closure times? Being as you mention a longtime veteran of events that provide full closure, could this have been an oversight on his part?

[HappyMartin]

Most marshals are huge pains in the arse? Really? What you did a survey?

 

Could not disagree more. Marshals are regular folk for the most part with one important difference. They are prepared to give up time for a thankless task that they are not paid for to help others enjoy their sport.

 

Sure you may get a few idiots but I have noticed very few and I have raced a lot. I have also marshaled three races. The abuse you take from riders and motorists gives you a real insight into the self entitled attitude of people. Enough to make any sane person angry.

 

In the States you have to marshal a few races before you are allowed to race. Wish that was the rule here. Particularly for the youngsters that have had their mommies do everything for them and think that's how the world works.

[scotty]

Most marshals are huge pains in the arse? Really? What you did a survey?

 

Could not disagree more. Marshals are regular folk for the most part with one important difference. They are prepared to give up time for a thankless task that they are not paid for to help others enjoy their sport.

 

Sure you may get a few idiots but I have noticed very few and I have raced a lot. I have also marshaled three races. The abuse you take from riders and motorists gives you a real insight into the self entitled attitude of people. Enough to make any sane person angry.

 

In the States you have to marshal a few races before you are allowed to race. Wish that was the rule here. Particularly for the youngsters that have had their mommies do everything for them and think that's how the world works.

Where did he say most marshals, he was complaining about an individual. 

[TALUS]

We are the marshalls. They come from amongst us. Some people follow their instructions to the letter. Some get unclear or bad instructions. Some are put in an impossible position. None have any other goal than participant's safety at heart. The front of a race comes much quicker than most people think and it is too late to react then.

 

I think all cyclists and runners should marshall at least once a year - it is the right thing to do.

[road]

You are obviously not an athlete who participates!  You have no clue to the enormity of hosting such a challenge and the road closures necessary. That poor marshal was following instructions and protecting the cyclists and runners. You are letting off steam for your incompetence and ignorance. From the inception of the Deloitte Challenge, the road closures and times were available for every Tom, Dick and Shaun to read on race pamphlets and on the website. Even Barry Holland, Race organizer, who has run over 40 Comrades will inform you that marshals brave the weather and risk their lives.

 

RUNNER

[HappyMartin]

Where did he say most marshals, he was complaining about an individual.

 

First line of post number two. The post by Jigghead.

[scotty]

You are obviously not an athlete who participates!  You have no clue to the enormity of hosting such a challenge and the road closures necessary. That poor marshal was following instructions and protecting the cyclists and runners. You are letting off steam for your incompetence and ignorance. From the inception of the Deloitte Challenge, the road closures and times were available for every Tom, Dick and Shaun to read on race pamphlets and on the website. Even Barry Holland, Race organizer, who has run over 40 Comrades will inform you that marshals brave the weather and risk their lives.

 

RUNNER

I have been both marshal and participant in running and cycling and found cycling is way more difficult to marshal. As a marshal we were also instructed that we were there to assist the metro official not the other way round as in this case. Roads were not full closure, meaning safety first for the participant BUT you also need to regulate the flow. The post is a complaint about an individual marshal not ALL or even MOST marshals.

 

Of course this could also be the case of 2 sides to the story.  

[scotty]

First line of post number two. The post by Jigghead.

Sorry thought you were referring to OP. 

[scotty]

I have been both marshal and participant in running and cycling and found cycling is way more difficult to marshal. As a marshal we were also instructed that we were there to assist the metro official not the other way round as in this case. Roads were not full closure, meaning safety first for the participant BUT you also need to regulate the flow. The post is a complaint about an individual marshal not ALL or even MOST marshals.

 

Of course this could also be the case of 2 sides to the story.  

Just read now the route had road closure so looks like the marshal was carrying out as instructed. 

[Jigghead]

Most marshals are huge pains in the arse? Really? What you did a survey?

 

Could not disagree more. Marshals are regular folk for the most part with one important difference. They are prepared to give up time for a thankless task that they are not paid for to help others enjoy their sport.

 

Sure you may get a few idiots but I have noticed very few and I have raced a lot. I have also marshaled three races. The abuse you take from riders and motorists gives you a real insight into the self entitled attitude of people. Enough to make any sane person angry.

 

In the States you have to marshal a few races before you are allowed to race. Wish that was the rule here. Particularly for the youngsters that have had their mommies do everything for them and think that's how the world works.

 

OK, so not most marshals. But a lot of them. I did not do a survey, but this is the opinion of many people with whom I have spoken to about the attitude frequently experienced from marshals at MTB, road and running events. Sometimes it feels like a bit of a power mission that some are on. Frankly, as stated, I am aware of the need and the good these guys do for us as racers, but sometimes a little more courtesy is required from both sides.

 

For the record, before I get grilled about this as well, I obey marshals in all instances and apologize for any indiscretions I may commit, so it's not a case of feeling wounded for being reprimanded when I was in the wrong. The abuse received by the marshals from piss takers trying to have a road opened is unacceptable, so to is the crap they receive from participants who do not bother to familiarize themselves the rules of the races they enter.

 

I too have also raced a lot and speak from personal experience. You'll also note that I tried to defend them in the balance of the post I made. I am also of the opinion that they carry out a thankless task that is aggravated by those who are trying to take a chance when asking for special opening of roads etc. 

[Slanghoek Louis]

Yes this is a difficult topic. I am a route manager and also have my own marshalls. We do a lot of training with them on how to and not to. It is NOT a cool job being a marshall. Long hours , boring hours of waiting for cyclists to arrive at your point. I make sure that where there is a difficult crossing to put the marshalls there with the most experience! Being said before , every situation has two sides. I think that in my opinion the route manager is to blame for situation. He should have put the right person with the right capabilities there to handle the situation. Lastly I want to add that we emphasize that commensense rules.

[Patchelicious]

I have the world of respect for marshals. Always try and thank them, even as the bunch surges out of corners.

 

As with everything in life there is always a little bad apple, but don't let that change your perception of the rest of them that are out there just trying to help.

[Veebee]

I'm new to cycling and have done 7 events in the recent months, and just have to add that I've never come across a rude Marshall at any of these events. Yes you may find 1 rotten apple but majority of them are friendly and polite to say the least.