Was the field size (324 finishers) too small, too big or just right?
It would be helpful if you mentioned not just the beginning of
the race but the middle and the top as well as your trip down. (179)

A bit tight at the start — but expected. It spread out only after about three miles.

A little congestion at the top of Ruxton but otherwise it was fine. Most uphill runners were cognizant enough to get out of the way.

A little crowded at the start, but I thought it was a great crowd size overall

About Right

About right

About right for me. Could have been about 50 more runners with minimum impact.

about right.

about right.

All were just fine

As a back-of-the-pack starter I was not hindered after the first half mile, and even prior to that other contestants were willing to move over when asked. Throughout the rest of the race I ran unhindered, moving continuously past slowing runners.

beginning difficult to pass

Beginning not too crowded, middle and towards end of race has lots of room to run!!

Beginning was crowded, other parts were a little lonely!

Bigger is fine

Bigger would be fine

Bit crowded at the beginning.

Bit crowded for first 5 minutes — then not too bad — DO NOT INCREASE SIZE next year

Could probably still grow a bit.

don’t care

field size is about right — the switchbacks were crowded but no more so than the Pikes peak Ascent or Marathon — after the switchbacks crowding is not a problem

Field size seamed OK, it’s a little crowded at the start, but it thins out real fast. I don’t think there would a problem with letting in more runners.

Field size was fine, I did not have much problem navigating through the slower runners at the beginning. I had to start at the back of the field because I did not receive my bib until 2 min. before the start (that was my fault)

Field size was fine. A little crowded to the first switchback, but after that I had no problems

Field size was good. Was not difficult to yield to downhill runners.

Field size was just right; don’t think you want to get too much larger. No particular problems anywhere, but the feel of the race will begin to change if the race grows beyond 400

fine

fine

For the first 2 miles of the race that path was small and hard to pass other runners

From in the middle of the pack it seemed fine, just tight at the beginning as is to be expected.

Good

Good amount

Good size

good, considering the trail conditions

Great size, but I had trouble getting going. Maybe a few less would have made the start easier to handle.

Great size, the field was pretty spread out so no problems with overcrowding.

I can’t imagine it being any bigger. The turn-around gets pretty treacherous with lots of tired runners starting their aggressive descent around a lot of tired uphill runners.

“I felt it was a good number of people. The number of people did not cause a “"traffic jam",” which allowed people to run their pace."

I felt this size was good. There were always people in front of me to challenge me, but I had room to move.

I guess it was okay, I never have too much trouble with crowding except at the very beginning

I had no problem with trail congestion

I had no problems with congestion going up or down, but I was near the front of the race so I’m not sure what it was like for the rest of the competitors

I had no problems with crowds. I think the field could even handle another 50 people.

I had no problems with the size of the field, so could have a few more runners.

I placed myself just about right at the starting line so I didn’t have a problem with any crowds once we got onto the trail itself. The top was fine and the trip down wasn’t fine as the folks coming up were great about moving to the side.

I ran most of the race without anyone that near me. Finished in 2:28

I think any more than 400 is definitely too many. The start was quite crowded and at times it was crowded from the Bob’s road aid station to Barr Camp going and coming.

I think the field could be a little larger. I was near the back of the pack and I did not think it was to bad at the bottom with that many people. The middle and top sections, as well as, the trip down was fine.

I think the field size is just right. It is always a little packed at the beginning but it spreads out. I think too many runners would make the downhill a little more rough.

I think the race has matured to the right size. Yes, the beginning is crowded. After the W’s, its fine. I consider it a strategic element of the race that the beginning trail is narrow and crowded, so if I want to not get stuck, I’d better move it sooner!

I think the size of the race was just right. the start was a little tight, but that always happens. the pack had enough room to spread out and i don’t think the size of the field impeded me in my effort to find a steady pace. this is a good field size for the trail in my opinion.

I thought it was crowded up near the top

“I thought it was just about right — I ran the race “"in the pack"” and with the exception of the first mile or so there was enough room to get around. I think the upper portions with runners ascending and descending at the same time went pretty well."

I thought the 300 limit was ideal, but it’s great seeing the participation with more runners. After the Ws the pack thins out, and I really had no difficulty. After the turn-around at Barr, runners in both directions appeared to follow proper etiquette. The finish area does becomes very crowded — I noticed that more this year.

I thought the field size was fine. I had no trouble passing when I wanted and letting others pass when necessary. I was surprised that I ran the last 4.5-5 miles of the downhill by myself for 95% of the time. I could have used a partner to keep the legs moving. :-)

I thought the size of the race was just right.

I thought traffic was fine. OK

I was worried about the start being too packed. I was very pleasantly surprised.

I would like to see more finishers next year.

I would not go any bigger than 400. There was a lot of people that you had to pass coming down

I’m a back of the pack runner. We had plenty of room to move around each other after about the first half mile.

It seemed alright, a little crowded at the start and tough to pass, but overall felt comfortable with the amount of people.

it seemed like a good size — not too much compression on the way up

It was a very comfortable number, the field was able to spread out quickly and it was not a constant stream of people to pass or people coming down.

It was about right, but the runners in the start could have been staggered more to avoid the intense clustering

it was fine

It was fine, after the beginning there was not anytime that I had trouble passing etc.

It was fine, both up and down. Most runners are considerate of downhill runners. That makes the number of runners on the trail manageable.

It was fine. A little pushing and shoving during the start, but that’s to be expected. Except for the jerk in BLUE SHORTS WITH NO SHIRT ON. He pushed, shoved, (even shoved girls) and was walking by the chlorine station. What a j.e.r.k. After the initial few hills, the pack was sufficiently thinned. No problems up/down. (A few hikers seemed confused as to what to do, jump, clear the trail, stand there like a deer-in-headlamp, but since it’s a free country, I guess we get to share the trail with them !) Plus, the hikers provide obstacles to keep us on our toes !

It was fine. I wouldn’t want it any longer.

it was good

It was just fine except some hikers on the trail, I ran into one because they wouldn’t move

It was just right. More signs should have been placed on the trail prior to the race so it would be closed to non-racers (there were mtb riders and runners with dogs off-leash).

it was just right. Shouldn’t be bigger on this trail.

It was ok

It was okay.

it was alright

It’s probably just right. Although it does take about 1 to thin out. How about making it a 13 miler and start down at Ruxton.

Just about right

just about right...a little bunched up at first but thinning out in time to come down

Just fine

just right

just right

Just right

Just right

just right

just right

just right

just right

Just Right

just right

Just Right

Just Right

Just Right

just right

just right

just right

just right

just right

just right

just right

Just right

just right

just right

Just right

just right

just right

just right

Just right

Just right

Just right

Just right

just right — a little crowded at the beginning but once 20 minutes up or so the crowd Thinned out.

just right — didn’t have any trouble passing going up or down

Just right — never too crowded.

just right — no problems

just right at beginning, middle, and end.

Just right for me.

just right or maybe even a few more

Just Right throughout

Just right!

just right, i think if it were too much larger it would create more of a traffic jam on the way down

Just right.

Just right.

Just right.

Just right.

Just right.

Just right. It could maybe get a little bigger, I’d love to see more people involved, but pretty soon it will get too crowded when people are making the return trip.

Just right. It thinned out at the point near the Ws where people can really start running. Perfect!

Just right. Obviously pretty crowded the first couple of miles for slower people.

Just Right. Of course the beginning was very crowded and I started too far back, but during the middle things opened up nicely such that even when I turned around there wasn’t too much confusion on the trail

just right--it gets a little tight going up the W’s, as well as just before Barr Camp, but nothing major.

MY running pace places me alone for much of the race, so I say it was just right.

no

No problems whatsoever with the field size.

not too big for middle or halfway or finish

Not too small. I felt comfortable. I wouldn’t want it much bigger though.

ok

OK

ok

OK

ok

ok mid packer

only crowded at beginning

perfect

seem just about right

seemed about right — starts are always crowded regardless of size.

seemed fine. It spreads out quickly towards the front. Coming back down through the runners isn’t much of a problem. Most move out of the way.

Seemed just right.

“Seemed just right. Didn’t have to dodge too many downhill runners and it thinned out pretty quick at the start so you could plan your steps without being on someone’s tail all the time. Did NOT like the bikes on the trail. One was squeaking behind me and talking to another runner and when I offered to let him pass, he preferred to hang back and “"work his way around me."” I finally pulled off at a switchback and let him by. It was very annoying to listen to all the braking and skidding constantly. The other hikers were very polite and accommodating."

Seemed like there was still some room for more.

seemed ok everywhere, could hold a few more

Seems like it is too crowded at the start. Maybe there needs to be some discussion on trail etiquette for walkers (e.g. stay to the right).

Size of the race was ok. Bottom is always congested. But things thinned out past the first aid station.

Spread out quickly at start. Obviously, some caution on the return trip is necessary to avoid up runners.

Start of race was fine, middle was fairly spread out, last half was very spread out. Trail could most likely accommodate 50 more runners.

The amount of people felt just right, but there were a lot of people not involved in the race on the course (hikers, bikers, dogs(!), people with baby joggers!!!). I was towards the from and there were a lot of people (dogs, bikers) in my way towards the bottom. I actually ran into a dog where Barr Trail meets the roads because people were walking around on the course and had the dog off the leash. Very annoying!!!!

The beginning could’ve been staggered, but the rest of the race was a good amount of people, I had room to move and coming down I was all by myself

The beginning was crowded, but the end was great.

The beginning was crowded, but we spread out quickly and the rest was fine.

The beginning was slightly crowded but after the first mile it was surprisingly spread out and easy to run at your own pace.

the field size seems just right to me. I’m more towards the middle back and even so, it’s not hard to maneuver around folks, both up and down. to answer the question above about the finish line. you still need more shade, especially on a hot day like yesterday. other wise, coming up the road to the parking lot is a cruel joke, but that’s what makes it fun.

the field size was just right

The field was fine, but the people on the trail with bikes and dogs were a major problem, especially coming down. The dog was not even on a leash and just running in the middle of the trail.

the first mile was tight. the middle was perfect. the beginning of the downhill was a little sketchy, passing people coming up and not enough room to pass others going down.

The size is good. There are enough people to help pace us slower folks but not so many that I had to stop for the downhill runners.

The size of the race is just right for the trail. I did not find it being to congested and all of the runners were kind enough to move aside when asked.

The size was fine and could be increased by maybe as much as 100, or up to 400 runners. The beginning was the only place that was tight. Most runners respected the basic trail rules of down coming has right of way and ‘on your left’.

The size was good and brings in good moneys.

The Start — too many. The middle — just fine. Trip Down — too many

Think you found your number

Too crowded at beginning

Too small

too small

Too small — need more slow people!

Too small — trails were fairly open

Worked fine but I am one of the slower runners

worked out fine

yes

You could definitely make it bigger, it really spreads out anyway. The people coming up are very conscious of other runners so they dont get in the way.