10/17/2026
The Hidden Costs of Putting on a Race: Cone Edition
We had a great morning at our Oktoberfest 5K in Osage Beach! Unfortunately, we also had a few casualties.
Pictured here are three traffic cones that bravely gave their lives in the line of duty this morning. They were simply trying to keep runners safe. They didn't deserve this.
We're not sure whether their demise was the result of distracted driving, poor driving, or someone who just really doesn't like traffic cones. Whatever the reason, they won't be joining us for our next race.
Here's the not-so-funny part.
Those three mangled cones represent more than $75 in equipment we'll have to replace.
When you register for a race, there are a lot of expenses you probably never think about. Traffic control equipment is just one of them. And when we lose equipment like this at multiple events, those costs add up. We do our best to keep registration fees affordable while putting on safe, well-organized races.
But there's something more important than the money.
If a driver is close enough to hit a traffic cone, they're close enough to hit a runner.
We put these cones out for a reason. They're not decorations, suggestions, or bonus points in a driving game.
So, to our runners, thanks for supporting our events and understanding that there's a lot more to putting on a race than handing out medals and bananas.
And to the drivers out there, please slow down, pay attention, and give our cones (and especially our runners) a little room.
Rest in peace, little orange soldiers. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. 🟠🏃
