I took this picture walking back from a celebratory meal with family last night. It was a mild, still evening following a glorious, sunny day.
I reflected on the difficult but right decision that the The Great Run Company company made yesterday cancelling the Great South Run less that 24 hours before it was due to start.
I've been up since 0630 this morning, in that time the wind has gradually increased, as forecasted. The view and feeling is now very different.
I suspect last night lots of people, including those that took the decision to cancel, looked at the beautiful evening and questioned the decision made. Some will be berating the organisers, thinking it a 'soft' decision, the words 'health and safety gone mad' may come to mind.
From my perspective both from working in events and having run the GSR many times, it was absolutely the right decision. Trying to safely maintain temporary structures in high, gusty winds is just not feasible. Mitigating to keep not only runners, but volunteers, supporters and other stakeholders safe in such conditions becomes an unmanageable challenge. The final couple of miles of the run is along Southsea seafront, it's known for being difficult with a southerly onshore breeze even on a good weather day, however today it would likely take most runners to a walking pace.
My thoughts are with the Great Run team as they manage the cancellation and all the logistics that go with that. Also all the runners, joggers, walkers; a disappointment, yes - but the beauty of this sport means we can still do it albeit not as part of a mass participation event.
What's your experience of decision making impacting hundreds/thousands of people at relatively short notice? Did you contribute to that decision or where you impacted by it? How did you manage and reconcile your feelings?
