Sean Peckover

Millions of runners participate in organised running events on all continents each year. Runners are typically tightly packed in the race corrals waiting for the start signal to commence the race. This aspect of running events creates a potential for crush injuries between runners and between runners and barriers, as well as injuries associated with falls. This project also aims to assess the impact of intervention controls on runner density, flow rate within the race corrals, and satisfaction with the event. Project results could potentially assist peak-running organisations in establishing standards for race corral design.

Outcomes for this project include identifying density and flow rate at start corrals for significant running events. Establishing the link between density and flow rate and the risk to runners and event satisfaction for runners will assist race organisers with discharging their duty of care to runners, reducing congestion risks to runners and, in turn, reducing incidents that may give rise to litigation and statutory penalties. Finally, the project aims to provide a solution to corral design that may optimise runner congestion reducing risks to runners within corrals and improving satisfaction. By optimising congestion, runners will likely be more satisfied with the event, which has the potential to increase future participation at events and increase event reputation and profitability.

Athletics Australia