Reference no: EM133212681

Assignment:

In 1973, a group of friends got together for a casual ride across the state of lowa. This inaugural event was organized by two newspaper column writers who were also avid cyclists and tought of the expedition as a potential idea for a column. The event was rather disorganized as no one had prepared the course or developed campsites or rest area along the way. The two columnists simply selected five different cities throughout lowa to serve as overnight resting destinations. In total, approximately 300 individuals started the ride an 114 finished the entire event. Currently, the race, now known as Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across lowa (RAGBRAI) limits the number of riders to 8500 to ensure that they do not overwhelm the host communities.

The event has grown over the years and has received major national and international attention. In the late 1980s, for instance, NBC Nightly News, the today show, and CBS News broadcast features about the race and highlighted some of the host communities. In 1990s, the ride had reached international appeal and was broadcast on a television station in Germany. These broadcasts and the newspaper and other media outlets reporting on the event not only helped increase the awareness and levels of participation for the event, but they also highlighted the wonderful state of lowa.

From a tangible outcome perspective, the event has led to the increase in bicycle lanes throughout the host communities, which rotate every year of the event. The roads are repaved for the safety of the riders, and part of the expenses is shared by the state and the event. There are also various charitable organizations associated with the ride, enabling people to raise thousands of dollars each year. Finally, 10 different bike shops across the state are affiliated with the ride, and they each see an increase in riders and provide new riders with helpful tips, bike maintenance training, and ride training plans.

Overall, this event has established a positive, long-term legacy in its 42-year existence.

RAGBRAI has demonstrated both positive tangible and intangible, as have other events, some likely in your community. Knowing the importance of legacy, you will want to make sure that your event is a financial success and a credit to your community, not just now but long into the future. Review a local facility or event in your community to determine if it has developed a positive or negative legacy for the community. The following exercises will help get you on the right track:

1. Select either a sport event or facility and review the history of the event.

2. Evaluate the event's or facility's long-term impact on the host community, including both tangible and intangible benefits.

3. Outline two new strategies that you would use to make an additional legacy for the event or facility.