How can my passions for running, travel, and (of course) customer intelligence collide? The answer is the San Francisco Marathon!
Running
I love to run. This year, I ran the second SF half marathon event. Last year I ran the first. So, I’ve covered all 26.2 miles – just not all at once. The San Francisco course is truly amazing, full of breathtaking scenery.
Travel
I was born to travel. San Francisco is one of my all-time favorite destinations. There’s always something new and exciting to see, the weather is cool with a mix of AM fog/PM sun, and there are plenty of friends to meet up with. Of course, a direct flight from RDU to SFO would make it even better. Wink, wink @RDUAirport 😉
Customer Intelligence
As a repeat attender (and CI professional) who hopes to make The SF Marathon an annual tradition, I captured some interesting insights about the day while monitoring social channels to help make future events even better.
Kudos:
- Sierra Nevada Beer Garden (but some said it closed early)
- Mile marker designs
- Timely responses to Facebook posts
- Half it all challenge medals
- Hotel partners
- Race shirts
- Spectators
- Volunteers
- Weather
- Location
Areas to Improve:
- Half finishers who didn’t receive half medals
- Delayed confirmation emails
- Printed requirement for confirmation emails given ‘paperless’ event
- Non-downloadable finish videos
- Process for switching events
- Ultralyte – gritty drink on course
- Mobile app + updates – too infrequent
Notable comments from others (priceless):
- Girl stuck in porta potty during first half screaming ‘let me out’
- The devil offered me beer and I refused 🙂
- The sign that read “you are kicking Betty White’s ass”
- The little girl who was maybe 7 or 10 years old holding a sign that said “HTFU”
Final IG score 9/10. See you next year!!!