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4 WHARF TO WHARF SATURDAY, JULY 21, 2018 SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL B Y T A R A F A T E M I W A L K E R What Makes Wharf to Wharf "Run" Smooth A lthough the most visible element of the annual Wharf to Wharf race is the 16,000 runners who participate, a lot goes on behind the scenes— including a great deal of hard work to ensure that the registration process goes smoothly. Race Director Scott McConville and Race Manager Mark McConnell, both local residents, are key contributors to this. McConnell, who has served in his current WTW role for more than 25 years, has been actively involved in WTW since its 1973 inception. He ran in the first few races and won in 1974. McConnell is a bona fide local. He coached track and taught math at Soquel High School until retiring in 2016. Soquel High is also where he went to school, graduating in 1971. "Ken Thomas (long time president and the heart and soul of the race) was my—and my brothers'—high school track coach," says McConnell, whose father, John, helped at track meets and was in the Soquel Booster Club. "In 1973, Ken started the WTW along with some prominent Capitola residents. He recruited us to help: my dad, my brother Gary and me. Actually, by then I was running for Stanford (did this from 1972- 75), so I didn't do much of the organizing except to help measure the proposed course." By the late 70's, he was back in town and became the race director for a few years, until Kirby Nicol took over. "Since then, my summer job has been to help administer WTW. When we incorporated the race (around 1980), my father and brother and I all became members of the board. I've been a board member ever since." As someone who has been involved with the race since its start, McConnell feels a personal responsibility to provide the best event possible. "The registration process is one part of this, says McConnell. "For most people, it is the first step each year in preparing for, and then experiencing, the Wharf to Wharf race. I hope that the entire race experience, including registration, will be a positive experience for all." Of course, 100 percent satisfaction is impossible, partly because there is a limit—16,000—to the number of entrants. "Obviously, some people who would like to enter don't get in. Additionally, there are bound to be issues that come up when you deal with 16,000 entrants. We pride ourselves in dealing with those issues quickly and fairly." For many years, registration opened at midnight on April 1 and was open until the race was full. "Over the years, it began filling up faster and faster, until it was full in roughly an hour," says McConnell. "We decided that forcing people to be at their computer at midnight waiting for registration to open was neither user-friendly nor fair to those who simply couldn't do that." Race Director McConville works collaboratively with a seven-member WTW Board of Directors and seven- member Advisory Board all year round to make the registration process as simple and fair as possible. They have developed a system of various "windows of opportunity" during which different groups can register. "The system continues to evolve, hopefully getting a little more fair and user-friendly each year. In the fall, the Board will evaluate all aspects of this year's race, including the registration process, and possibly approve additional improvements next year, " says McConnell. Board members regularly review input from volunteers, plus comments from any entrants who feel strongly enough about the registration system to share their thoughts. "We care about our community, that's why we spend so much time and energy determining how to handle registration,"

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