As part of our election for new FLRC board members, we asked some survey questions to help us improve our operations and give you a chance to share feedback on how the club is working. The survey garnered 92 responses, and thanks to everyone who participated! Note that, since this was an entirely self-selected survey, it reflects only the opinions of those who chose to participate.
Communications
We asked several questions about how you find out about FLRC events, how you view our race announcement volume, and whether you like race recaps.
Most people learn about FLRC events through the FLRC Forum and the club website, with word of mouth as the third most common method. After that, Strava posts, running calendar sites, the back of FLRC race bibs, Facebook, paper flyers, and Instagram (in that order) all played smaller roles. They’re still valuable, though, especially when it comes to reaching people who don’t already know about the forum or club website.
Nearly everyone felt the number of race announcements was just right, with two people saying it was too many and two saying it was too few, so we’ll stick with our current approach.
Race recaps were also quite popular: 78% of respondents said they liked them, and only 22% said they seldom read them—no one actively disliked them. The freeform responses suggested that people liked how they fostered a sense of community, recognized volunteers, and called out both fast times and unusual achievements (such as the youngest/oldest finishers) or happenings. Photos were appreciated—and remember, there are thousands of great photos in our photo library!—and people like how we try to bold everyone’s name in writeups. Because yes, it is all about you!
Clothing
We asked questions about clothing: one about the blanks (premium brands versus more affordable bulk brands) and another about whole-shirt designs versus simple front/back silk-screen prints.
Regarding brands, responses were mixed. About 35% of respondents prefer the premium brands, even if that means higher prices (such as with the Trail Circuit shirts), while 8% prefer the more affordable bulk brands (such as with the new FLRC Rebus T-shirts); another 35% think it depends on the item, and 22% have no preference. To my mind, that says that we should keep mixing it up.
Similarly, the responses regarding Clothing Design Preferences are entirely mixed. The simple front/back silkscreen prints (such as the FLRC Rebus shirts, the Turkey Trot sweatshirt, and the Ithaca 5&10 shirts) garnered 26% of the votes, where the fully sublimated designs (Challenge shirts, Skunk Cabbage shirts) garnered 11%, but 33% of people like both, and 30% have no preference. For the 2027 Skunk Cabbage, I’ll probably do a simple design on cotton.
The other thing that came up in the freeform comments is that many people would like more cotton shirts. That’s partly why we made the FLRC Rebus shirt in a soft cotton blend, and the Ithaca 5&10 shirts the last two years have been cotton. A few people also encouraged us to look into environmentally sustainable fabrics—we do keep that in mind whenever possible, but it can significantly increase prices, so it’s a fine line to walk.
There were also several requests for more variety, especially with tank tops (the 2025 FLRC Challenge women’s racerbacks were extremely popular) and long-sleeved shirts, as well as hoodies, beanies, quarter-zips, and sweatpants. We hear you, but keep in mind that designing, ordering, and selling merchandise requires a lot of effort, so there’s a limit to how much we can do each year.
There were a few misapprehensions that I wanted to clear up, too:
- There was a note that not every race needs its own shirt, and that’s absolutely correct. In fact, most of our races don’t have shirts, with those that draw a lot of out-of-towners being the main exceptions (Skunk Cabbage, Finger Lakes 50s, Ithaca 5&10, Turkey Trot, and the Hartshorne Masters Mile). And, except for Finger Lakes 50s and Hartshorne for historical reasons, all other race shirts are optional purchases, so we’re certain people are only getting shirts they want to wear.
- Several people asked for running hats, presumably because they haven’t seen that we have a new Boco hat. It’s a fresh design to shake things up from the standard club logo, which many people already have from the last order. (Please excuse the graphics on our online store—you can see items in person when we’re selling clothing at track meets and races. If you have graphic design skills and would like to help improve those images, let me know.)
Running-Related Classes and Clinics
We asked what sort of classes or clinics on running-related topics you might be interested in attending, and we got lots of great responses:
- Strength Training & Injury Prevention: Strength training was the most frequently requested topic, often paired with injury prevention, mobility exercises, and stretching.
- Nutrition and Fueling: Several respondents requested clinics focused on nutrition and diet, including proper hydration and fueling for optimal performance and recovery.
- Training Plans and Techniques: Requested classes included building a training plan, how best to incorporate speedwork, following a training plan when life gets in the way, and techniques for trail racing.
- Mental and Race Preparation: Other interests centered on dealing with race-related anxiety, mental toughness techniques for racing, and general race preparation, along with a request for a marathon training class/support group.
- Other Specific Ideas: Additional suggestions included running form analysis, Q&A sessions with competitive runners, a virtual fascia workshop, guidance on interpreting running metrics, and advice on preventing chafing in ultras.
Last year, club volunteers led workshops on strength training, fascia release, balance, and mindfulness. Frankly, the only limitation here is finding someone who wants to make a particular class or session happen and is willing to share their knowledge or recruit a speaker. The club’s Comm Team can help promote the event, and various club members have donated their space in the past. Get in touch if you want to make a class happen!
Race Satisfaction
The survey asked a variety of questions about your satisfaction with our races, and I’m pleased to say that 97% of all the responses were Satisfied or (more likely) Very Satisfied. Multiple respondents praised the organization and quality of the races, describing them as “incredible,” “fantastic,” “extremely well-run,” and “smooth.” Thank you for the kind words, and thanks to our race directors for their efforts in making this happen!
There is always room for improvement, though, and several people commented that they would like to see more gluten-free options and fewer highly processed foods like commercial nut butters and cream cheeses. Our Food Team is aware of the desire for gluten-free options and provides them at many races, so if you don’t see them, ask a volunteer. I’ve made sure to communicate the desire for less processed foods to the Food Team and race directors.
I’ve also communicated to race directors a comment about not having dogs at water stations. Just as dogs in races may be problematic because they can behave unpredictably and their presence makes some people anxious, the same is true in other aspects of races.
A few things to clear up:
- One person asked for more Saturday races instead of so many Sundays. There are slightly more races on Sundays (12) than Saturdays (10), but it’s pretty even. (There are also 2 Tuesday races and 2 Thursday races.) We try hard to include both weekend days, but some races have logistical requirements that prevent changing.
- There were several comments about high race entry fees. FLRC race entry fees are significantly lower than industry averages—most of our small community trail and road races cost just $20 with a $5 club member discount. A few of our races have higher entry fees because they cost a lot more to put on, such as Finger Lakes 50s, Skunk Cabbage, Monster Marathon, and Parallel of Latitude. Plus, we give free entry to runners 18 and under in all our road and trail races, and provide a no-questions-asked free entry coupon code to anyone who would not otherwise be able to afford the race (except for the Finger Lakes 50s, which has a cap on entries). In 2025, 7.5% of registrants used the free coupon.
- There was also some confusion about the FLRC Challenge, with someone thinking buying a shirt was required. It’s not—the shirts are optional—and although the Challenge is more expensive, that’s in part because it costs a lot to put on. Nonetheless, the free entry coupon is available for it as well.
There were also a few suggestions:
- One person suggested we have a shorter endurance race, like the Southern Tier Running Club’s 3-hour 1.1-mile loop, with a supply table at the start. So, like our Parallel of Latitude race, but even more compressed. Our race schedule is already full with 26 races, and I can’t say that it will happen, but if someone wants to organize it…
- Another suggested that we bring back the handmade mugs for prizes at the Twilight. I’ll communicate that to the race director. Locally hand-crafted items are lovely, and although they tend to be pricey, we like it when our race spending supports local artisans. The hard part is finding an artisan and coordinating the project.
Coming up with good prizes that winners will appreciate is harder than it might seem. Many types of prizes, such as medals or pint glasses, are no longer special to those who already have a collection, and other types, such as custom shirts or trophies, can be expensive or hard to organize in small quantities. Consumable prizes seem like a good idea, but giving out six-packs of beer and soda hasn’t worked as well lately, as people avoid alcohol and sugary drinks. (For age-group awards, the five-race PGXC series gives out a selection of boxes of Trader Joe’s chocolates, which are popular.)
Workout Satisfaction
The survey also asked a variety of questions about workout satisfaction, which I’m going to take personally. (In a good way!) 90% of the responses were either Satisfied or, again (much more commonly), Very Satisfied.
The main comments explaining the Neutral ratings and one Dissatisfied vote primarily revolved around:
- Several people expressed a desire to start track workouts earlier, but that simply isn’t possible given the Cornell track team’s schedule. Sorry!
- There were a couple of comments about how I tend to focus coaching advice on the faster runners rather than mid-pack runners. It may seem that way, but what’s actually happening is that I primarily direct such advice to people who have requested it. If anyone wants more coaching about pacing, form, injuries, or anything else, let me know at a workout.
- A few people expressed a desire for workouts that focused on longer distances. That’s a tough problem because the pace variations among our regulars are so great (from sub-5:00 to 9:00). It’s easy to keep everyone feeling as though they’re in the same workout on the track, and in the Summer Speed and Cross Country workouts, I try to create intervals that keep the group roughly together. Otherwise, the group would instantly spread out, leaving most people to run on their own. That said, if you ask me, we can talk about adding a tempo workout on your own.
- The number of people at the indoor track workouts was mentioned. We’re averaging over 70 people per night, most of whom are on the track (I also count kids and coaches). As long as we adhere to our track rules, it seems to be working out, but we can’t grow much more. Remember that Ian also coaches Monday and Wednesday track workouts in Barton for a few more weeks.
Group Run Satisfaction
The final group of satisfaction questions revolved around group runs. 92% of the responses were in that Satisfied or (as usual, much more common) Very Satisfied category.
Comments included:
- One person said it would be nice to know there would be someone at their pace. That’s why we usually have the pace polls in the group run announcements. Unfortunately, people sometimes don’t want to vote because it makes them feel more committed than they want to be (or just because they don’t bother). All I can say is, please fill out those pace polls! We’ll try to encourage everyone to do so in person as well.
- Another person commented that group runs were more fun with more people. We agree, and the pace polls can help show when it will be better attended. But you can help too. If you have a friend or two with whom you run, invite them directly so you know you’ll have someone to run with. We recruit shamelessly, and so should you.
- There was some annoyance with assumptions surrounding where group runs were being held. We almost always try to include Google Maps links to the location for those who may not be familiar with the Cornell campus or local landmarks. If that doesn’t happen in a group run announcement, just ask for a link in a comment.
- Some people asked for earlier or later start times. We’ve played with this, and we just can’t please all the people all the time. If you want to run earlier, consider running the course so you finish as the main group starts. If you want to run later, consider starting when the main group finishes. That way, you get to socialize and feel like a member of the community while still hitting your preferred time. Or just post your own group runs at your preferred time!
- Speaking of which, someone else asked if it was OK to post their own group runs. Absolutely! The Group Runs & Workouts category on the forum is open to everyone, so just post with when you’re running (day and time), where you’ll be starting, how far you’ll be going, and what your rough pace will be. You could even arrange to finish at a brunch spot!
- One person suggested we form special-interest groups, such as those training for marathons. That’s a great idea—talk with group run coordinator Heather Cobb about how you can help organize such runs. (See what I did there? Things happen when people volunteer. )
Anything else you want to share about FLRC?
Rather than try to summarize these responses, I’ll let them speak for themselves. Thank you for all the kind words, and thanks to everyone who makes the club deserving of them!
- Thank you for doing a phenomenal job!!
- Really like the summer Challenge!
- Great work!! The club is great.
- You all do such a great job. There is an amazing variety of running challenges and races. It has made me do different types of runs/races that have pushed me out of my comfort zone in amazing ways (I’m looking at you, Super Frosty Loomis!)
- The food at the end of the races is always fantastic. It’s great that you keep prices at a reasonable level and that you make many races free for the under-18 crowd. It has encouraged my young teen to do some races he probably wouldn’t have considered if he had to pay the full fee.
- Thank you for all your hard work again this year. You are all greatly appreciated!
- FLRC is great. I love being involved with the kids’ activities. I have not been running much, so my participation is low, but as a former Ithaca runner, I am very impressed and happy to be a part of it on occasion.
- This organization, its board of directors, and its volunteers are all amazing. Our community is very fortunate to have the FLRC. Thank you!!!
- Best running club around IMHO. I like how inclusive it is for all runners (not just the elite speeders). Keep up the great work. I try to do my share with some event volunteering during the year.
- FLRC is such an amazing community. I deeply appreciate the work that Adam and so many other volunteers put in. I’ve made so many friends through FLRC and always feel welcome and supported. Volunteers go above and beyond to make race experiences five star! I love how the club is always open to feedback and looking to improve.
- Thank you for all you are doing for the community!
- We love FLRC! We finally feel like part of the community here in Ithaca.
- Great club
- So grateful for you! I’d love to have even more trail races! One day, I hope I can help promote a race, but I am swamped right now.
- I deeply appreciate all the efforts that the board, race directors, and event volunteers put into this wonderful club. Special thanks above all to Adam and Tonya!
- I really appreciate how community-focused and affordable FLRC is. Great combination of races and events with entry prices that are much more affordable than other running groups.
- Thanks!
- Love you all!!
- Thank you!
- I have greatly enjoyed the Thursday Young at Heart Group Runs organized by Kate and Jon, so huge props to them!
- Very impressed with how large this group is and how many events/runs/gatherings take place. Just wish I could retire early and take part in more of them!
- Very happy
- Thank you for all you do!! We have such an amazing community.
- An impressive effort by all who volunteer to make the club and its events so awesome! Thank you! Wish I lived closer, but I still get there often enough for events, a few group runs, and a volunteer gig or two. Who comes up with those clever Skunk Cabbage Classic themes every year? Love 'em! Love the FLRC Challenge - it gets better every year!
- Keep on the same line. The Challenge is good to get the signs out into the neighbourhoods so more non-FLRC people will see them and (we hope) be curious.
- As always, my appreciation goes out to all the members who work so hard behind the scenes to keep this club functioning. A big hearty thank you!!!
- I really appreciate the work that the club does to involve people in running from beginners to experts. There are so many different kinds of opportunities that enable anyone to get involved. I also appreciate all the communication around club events and opportunities. Thanks so much for your hard work!
- Thank you so much for being such a great running club. It’s a lot of work, and I appreciate it!
- I wouldn’t change much of anything. It is a great organization and community. Wish I lived closer to be able to enjoy and contribute more.
- FLRC is great!
- Increased group runs have made the club more welcoming!
- I’m fairly new, and feel like I need to have more experience before commenting on a lot of questions. Thank you for what you do.
- I’m very happy with the way this club upholds both a competitive environment in its events and a welcoming environment for its first timers. It also appears to me as an outsider looking in that you aren’t afraid to try something new, reflect, and adjust. I’ve got nothing but good things to say about this group.
- I really appreciate the wide variety of races, group runs, and non-race events that FLRC puts on year after year!
- Grateful for the club
- I love the FLRC! There is literally something for everyone - easy weekend runs, trail & road races at various distances, weekly workouts, and truly great people! And, of course, none of this would be possible without the excellent leadership of Adam and Tonya. Thank you so much - you are genuinely appreciated!
- Thanks to all volunteers! The positive impact FLRC has had on both my physical and mental health cannot be overstated.
- I feel privileged to be part of such an active and well-managed running club. So many volunteers give so generously of their time and talents.
- Great organization - happy to be a member and occasional helper!