Now that the state primaries are behind us, New Hampshire is starting to gear up for the general election in November. With that in mind, I decided to have some fun this week.

Imagine that on the Nov. 6 ballot is the position of president of the New Hampshire road race/triathlon community. Now imagine I am a candidate. What follows are my positions on the issues. I have even thrown in some analysis of how my views will go over with the “electorate” (runners and triathletes).

-- STARTING ON TIME: It has always been my belief that a race should start within five minutes of its stated start time. Runners and triathletes take races very seriously, and nothing is more frustrating than standing around when a race delays its start. In some cases runners have done their stretching and warm-up based on a specific start time. When a race is delayed 15-30 minutes, that warm-up goes out the window.

Analysis: This should go over well with the voters. There are very few people who have an “I don't care” attitude about a race starting late.

-- SENSE OF DIRECTION: I have very strong feelings about this issue. Yes, runners and triathletes are responsible for knowing the course and following direction, but it's the responsibility of race organizers to ensure that direction is provided. Directional signs should be posted throughout the course, and monitors should be stationed at intersections or turns that could be misleading.

Analysis: This is another issue that should score me a lot of points with “voters.”

-- ENTRY FEES: I am taking a “hands off'” approach on this one. Each race is free to set whatever fee it wants. Runners and triathletes can decide to pay the fee or not. As I have said before, races are like restaurants. You can choose the expensive gourmet establishment, go the fast-food route or choose something in between. Your choice.

Analysis: This will probably get me in hot water with longtime runners. Runners who have been around 20 or more years have seen sharp increases in entry fees and would probably like to see someone step up to take prices down. Families who show up with four or five participants also would like to see some sort of discount. I have no problem with what these people are saying; I'm just taking the position that each race is free to make its own decision, as is each prospective registrant.

-- COURSE CERTIFICATION: Quick explanation. USA Track and Field has set up guidelines for measuring the distance of a course so runners will know a stated distance is accurate. Many races have made the decision to follow those standards, but many others have not.

My position? When I was running seriously 20 years ago, I was all in when it came to certifcation, especially for shorter distances such as 5K. Now, not so much. Certifcation of shorter distances doesn't seem as valuable as it once was, so I have softened my stance. On the other hand, marathons should be certified because they are often used as qualifiers for the Boston Marathon.

Analysis: I come across as a flip-flopper. That's never good around election time.

-- AWARDS CEREMONIES: Over the past few years, some of the bigger New Hampshire road races have done away with awards ceremonies. That's in response to fewer and fewer award winners sticking around for the proceedings. I am in favor of this new trend. It makes things run smoother for the race organizers and eliminates the awkward moments of announcing an award winner and not having that person be present.

One thing must be made clear. The new trend does not extend to triathlons. Triathletes have a much higher attendance rate at awards ceremonies.

Analysis: Since most runners don't win awards, most runners won't care about this issue. On the other hand, there are plenty of race directors who feel strongly about their awards ceremonies. I will probably lose votes with that group.

-- BANDITS AND BIB SWITCHING: I have saved the most controversial issue for last. “Bandits” is the term for runners who enter a race without an official entry. Bib switching is the practice of registering and allowing someone to use your bib or not registering and using a registered entrants bib. Bandits and bib switchers are viewed unfavorably by race organizers. When someone runs without a number or with someone else's number, that runner has not signed a waiver of liability and that could create a problem. There also would be the problem of identification if a serious injury occurred.

My position is very clear. Running as a bandit or with someone else's number is wrong, wrong, wrong. There is no justification for it.

The problem is with enforcement; there is very little that can be done to stop bandits and bib switchers. In the event that such runners are caught, however, I would throw the book at them. They would receive suspensions or fines or both.

Analysis: Obviously I lose the bandits and bib switchers on this one, but I can take heart in knowing they represent a small portion of the community.

So, that's where I stand on the issues. Whether you agree or not, remember one thing: Get out and vote.

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RUNNING SHORTS: Give it up for Concord's Amber Ferreira, winner of the Pumpkinman Half Iron Triathlon, held Sept. 9 in South Berwick, Maine ... Newest member to the New Hampshire 1,000 Club (races with more than 1,000 finishers): the St. Charles Children's Home 5K, which took place in Rochester on Labor Day and had more than 1,100 finishers ... Many of those who teach also can run pretty well, especially Casey Carroll. The UNH women's track and cross country coach, who lives in Dover, won the inaugural Applecrest Half Marathon in Hampton Falls ... One more example of the power of the Seacoast Road Race Series. In its first three years, the Fox Point Sunset Race in Newington had fewer than 100 finishers each year. It joined the SRRS in 2005 and last week had more than 600 finishers, the sixth year in a row it has had at least 450 cross the finish line. Joining the SRRS has helped the race raise tens of thousands of dollars for its cause, the Newington school system.

Andy Schachat's column appears every other week in the New Hampshire Sunday News. Email him at schachat44@gmail.com.