Risk assessment in the organization of sports events on the example of long-distance running in Poland

The interest in amateur running (including long-distance runs) has been growing in a dynamic way for several years. It is reflected in a significant increase in the number of sports events including marathons and half marathons. The paper describes research aiming to estimate risk of organizing running events in Poland. The presented results refer to half marathons organized in 2018. Professional risk management is a starting point of realizing objectives set by organizers, including assuring safety and satisfaction of all interested parties. The conducted research (both preparatory and proper) has allowed for the identification of risk factors and estimating risk by the representatives of the runs’ organizers. The identification was realized by 8 experts (the Delphi method), whereas there were 24 representatives of 11 half marathons in Poland engaged in the risk estimation. The latter was based on the average (of impact and probability). The present article does not present the results of the factor analysis and focuses, which complemented the result of risk estimation. The research results provide concrete information about the priorities on which event organizers may focus in order to mitigate risk. The results also amount to the basis of in-depth risk estimation and analysis for examining trends and the efficiency of undertaken mitigation actions.

Ammon, R. i Brown, M. (2007). Risk management process. W: D.J. Cotton, J.T. Wolohan, J.T. (red.), Law for recreation and sport managers (288-300). Dubuque: Kendall/ Hunt Publishing Company.

Ammon, R., Jr., Southall, R.M. i Blair, D. A. (2004). Sport facility management: Organizing events and mitigating risks. Morgantown: Fitness Information Technology Inc.

Boo, S. i Gu, H. (2010). Risk perception of mega-events. Journal of Sport i Tourism, 15(2), 139-161. https://doi.org/10.1080/14775085.2010.498257

Bowdin, G., Allen, J., O’Toole, W., Harris, R. i McDonnell, I. (2006). Events Management. Elsevier.

Chappelet, J.L. (2001). Risk Management for large-scale events:The case of the Olympic Winter Games. European Journal for Sport Management. Special Issue, (8), 6-12.

Cronbach, J. (2005). Współczynnik Alfa a struktura wewnętrzna testów. W: J. Brzeziński (red.), Trafność i rzetelność testów psychologicznych. Wybór tekstów. GWP.

Emery, P. (2010). Past, present, future major sport event management practices: The practitioner perspective. Sport Management Review, 13, 158-170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smr.2009.06.003

Fuller, C. i Drawer, S. (2004). The Application of Risk Management in Sport. Sports Mecidicina, 34(6), 349-356. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200434060-00001

Hanstad, D.V. (2012). Risk Management in Major Sporting Events: A Participating National Olympic Team’s Perspective. Event Management, 16(3), 189-201. https://doi.org/10.3727/152599512x13459279626683

Helms, K. (2011). Risk Management in Running Race Events. Pozyskano z: http://www.sportrisk.com/2011/07/risk-management-in-running-race-events

ISO 31000:2018. Risk management – Principles and guidelines. International Standard Organisation.

Kozak, W. (2010). Wielkie imprezy sportowe: Korzyść czy strata? Studia Regionalne i Lokalne, 1(39), 48-68.

Leopkey, B. i Parent, M.M. (2009a). Risk management issuses in large-scale sporting events: A stakeholders perspective. European Sport Management Quarterly, 9(2), 187-208. https://doi.org/10.1080/16184740802571443

Leopkey, B. i Parent, M.M. (2009b). Risk Management strategies by stakeholders in Canadian major sporting events. Event Management 13(3), 153-170. https://doi.org/10.3727/152599509790029828

Linton, L. i Valentin, S. (2018). Running with injury: A study of UK novice and recreational runners and factors associated with running related injury. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 21(12), 1221-1225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2018.05.021

Masteralexis, L.P., Carol, A.B. i Hums, M. (2014). Principles and Practice of Sport Management. Burlinghton: Jones i Bartlett Publishers.

Miśniakiewicz, M. i Łuczak, J. (2014). Selected success factors of running events’ organizers and participants. W: M. Lotko, J. Żuchowski i R. Zieliński (red.), Selected Aspects of Quality and Environmental Management (s. 89-99). Radom: Wyd. Naukowe Instytutu Technologii Eksploatacji – PIB.

Moyle, B., Kennelly, M. i Lamont, M. (2014). Risk Management and Contingency Planning in Events: Participarnts’ Reaction to the cancellation of Ironman New Zeland 2012. International Journal of Event Management Research, 8(1), 94-106.

Piekarz, M., Jenkins, I. i Mills, P. (2015). Risk and Safety Management in the Leisure, Events, Tourism and Sports Industries. CABI. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781780644493.0195

Polska Biega. Raport Narodowy Spis Biegaczy (National Runner Survey). (2014). Pozyskano z: http://polskabiega.sport.pl/pdf/nsb_raport.pdf

Reid, S. i Ritchie, B. (2011). Risk management: Event managers’ attitudes, beliefs, and perceived constraints. Event Management, 15(4), 329-341. https://doi.org/10.3727/152599511x13175676722528

Scheerder, J., Breedveld, K. i Borgers, J. (2015). Who is doing a run with the running boom? The growth and governance of one of Europe's most popular sport activities. W: J. Scheerder, K. Breedveld, J. Borgers (red.), Running across Europe: The Rise and Size of One of the Largest Sport Markets (s. 1-27). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137446374.0006

Silvers, J.R. (2008). Risk Management for Meetings bad Events. New York.

Spengler, J.O., Connaughton, D. i Pittman, A.T. (2006), Risk Management in Sport and Recreation. Human Kinetics.

Toohey, K. i Taylor, T. (2008). Mega events, fear, and risk: Terrorism at the Olympic Games. Journal of Sport Management, 22, 451-469. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsm.22.4.451