John,

It was obvious that you were completely overworked. It is also obvious that the organization does not really understand how the whole media/sponsorship cycle work. The Tybee story is a compelling one - but to get it the kind of coverage necessary to find real title sponsorship for the event, you actually have to get on your knees and suck. The people that are good at media relations have close personal friendships with the journalists and editors at every important pub, or they find them months before their event. That's why they succeed. Chuck and his crew do a great job of getting boats off the beach and then on the beach - the rest of the organization is like the media effort - sorely lacking. Frankly, I'm amazed that the race has survived as long as it has, which speaks volumes of the importance of the race itself, and the strength of the name.