Race Rating: 2009 5 Peaks, Rattlesnake Point 12.7km

Today, I'm adding my new race rating system to July 2009's Rattlesnake Point 12.7 km trail race which is part of the 5 Peaks series. The first race to be scored using this system was the Toronto Pearson Airport 5km Runway Run. That race achieved 33 points out of a possible 48. Once again, I will give scores for each category and comments in brackets.

1. Bathroom facilities - 2 (very few portables but forest in all directions!)
2. Race day organization - 1 (lineups for number pickup and gift pickup were mislabeled and a disaster)
3. Course scenery - 3 (awesome! even in the rain, the Niagara Escarpment is always beautiful)
4. Course creativity - 3 (very challenging course with very few duplicated sections of trail)
5. Value - 3 (can't complain - got everything I paid for)
6. Shirt or gift - 2 (socks and a water bottle - different but nothing spectacular)
7. Parking availability - 3 (ample parking)
8. Website quality - 3 (great website - part of the whole 5 peaks series website)
9. Online registration - 3 (no problems)
10. Accessible for spectators - 3 (spectators could view the race from several locations along the trails without obstructing the race)
11. Convenience of race packet pickup - 1 (same day only. see comments about race day organization)
12. Pre-race expo - 0 (a few sponsors were at the race before and after but there was no 'race expo')
13. Entertainment on course - 0 (just not possible on a wet trail - unless you include the group of screaming young Japanese tourists - very enthusiastic!)
14. Post race food - 2 (standard)
15. Race day vendors/exhibitors - 1 (only 2 or 3 - the major sponsors of the race series)
16. Volunteers / marshalls / police & emergency services support - 3 (as usual - awesome! considering the weather conditions - thunderstorms - they deserve an extra thank you)

Score: 33 out of 48 - tied with the Pearson Run.