Perception of Local Participants during Samosir Ultra Marathon 10 Kilometers Championship

Abstract

This study aims to determine the perception of local athletes participating in the Samosir Ultra Marathon based on ambience, achievement, escape, satisfaction and behavioral intention after participating in the championship. The championships that are followed can determine the athlete's perception of participating in this event the following year and can promote friends and family to take part in this championship. The research method used is mixed methods with a sample of 87 local athletes determined by purposive sampling. The results of this study indicate that Ambience gets a score of 885 with a percentage of 84.77%, achievement score 931 with a percentage of 89.18%, escape scores 1237 with a percentage of 88.86%, satisfaction score 548 with a percentage of 83.91% and Behavioral Intention score 606 with a percentage of 87.07%. According to them, the ambience and support from the spectators during the race was very good so that the athletes could achieve their goals by participating in the event. Athletes can also evaluate the results of the race well. All athletes can escape the routine of life and emotions for a while by participating in this event. They are also satisfied with their decision to participate in this event because it is only held once a year and is an international event. As many as 81.61% of the athletes said they wanted to participate in this event next year and wanted to recommend this championship to their friends and family. Ambience, achievement, and escape have a positive effect on satisfaction of athletes based on their experience in participating in this championship, so they want to participate in next year and sports management must maintain its quality in organizing marathon events and be managed properly.