Often there are questions regarding how race organizers make decisions like the ones we made at the Salem Spring Tri. this year. I figure the best we can do is provide some insight and detail into how and why these decisions are made. I believe in the end it can only help everyones perspective and increase future productivity.
Here we go...
- To gain race approvals from local city, county, and state governments event organizers must meet certain criteria and conditions. These conditions are non-negotiable and if the event is to happen we must meet them. The largest concern for these organizations generally is athlete safety so most of the criteria centers around doing things to make sure you leave an event with sore muscles and at worse a nice sun burn. If we as organizers fail to meet these criteria the "powers that be" can simply say, "no more races." end of story.
- The conditions Saturday morning were very difficult from 2 standpoints, 1-the rain and 2-the air temperature.
1. The rain is a problem because of poor visibility while riding a bike and the more obvious slipping on wet surfaces. (see Jan Ullrich time trial crash at the TDF a few years ago.) The large scale potential crashes that would have ocurred with hundreds of cyclists traveling speeds of up to 40 mph in some areas was not something we or the organizations involved could allow. Our volunteer staff out on the bike course said the roads were still not completely dry until 11am and some even saw snow a little further up the canyon from the bike turnaround.
2. The air temperature Saturday fluctuated between 40 and 44 degrees. It complicated things because of the slow drying time on the roads even if the rain did stop and the exposure athletes would experience after swimming. If you have ever ridden your bike soaking wet in 40 degree weather it is not a great experience.
-8:15 We met with the Police Chief and Sheriff to discuss these weather factors. We checked the weather service reports on their computers only to find out that rain was expected until the afternoon. Had the weather report or the skies given us any hope of clearing we would have begun stalling as long as possible. With all of this information we made the decision at 8:15am to officially cancel the bike portion of the event.
-Once the bike was out we had the choice to make of what to do with the swim and run. The biggest concern for the swim is lightning and fortunately the rain that was soaking us wasn't coming from lightning clouds. We then began measuring the water temperature to find out how the rain and air temperature was affecting it. We took three measurements at different levels. The first 6 inches of water was 48 degrees because of the rain falling. Underneath the top layer, the water was 60 degrees, the normal temperature around this time of year. Even though it is called a pond or a lake it is actually a geothermal spring that is fed from underneath. At this point one of the UCSR water experts said that once swimmers got going it could mix the water up a bit and could be do-able.
-8:30 We invited some swim volunteers to get out into the water to test out it's conditions and our theory that the extra cold top layer would mix in with the warmer water underneath. Each of the swim volunteers came back with mostly favorable reports and we discussed options. The cold conditions of the water and air were still a concern and a compromise of a shorter swim was made to allow the swim to take place while not placing athletes at risk of exposure to the cold water.
-8:40 The final decision was made and the announcement to continue the race with a shortened swim and 5k run.
*On a personal note. We were all so bummed out about this event not going as planned. We have had 5 good years of Salem weather so I guess we were due. Regardless, you need to know that we dream about putting on a perfect race, just like you dream about a racing a perfect race.
Hopefully you can see from the detail above that our decisions are not hap-hazard but thoughtful and informed while taking many issues into consideration. We have been overwhelmed by all of the positive thoughts and understanding from you athletes. The large majority of communication has been supportive and thoughtful when it could easily be frustrated. Thanks.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Salem Spring Pre-race Docs
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS.
Friday June 6 2007
Optional Pre-Race Check In at race site.......................................6:30-8:30PM
Saturday June 7 2007
Last Chance Early Morning Check-In and body marking.................6:30-8:00AM
*If you are not checked in by 8am you will be DQ'd*
Pre-Race Meeting on top of the grass hill..............................................8:30AM
Feel Nervous and Nauseous........................................................8:45-9:00AM
The First Gun Fires.............................................................................9:00AM
*All other heats follow at 6 minute intervals beginning
with elite and then going up in age groups
Triathletes race like crazy..........................................................9:00-11:00AM
Stretch, Eat food, and cheer other competitors.........................10:00-11:30AM
Careerstep Post-Race raffle, and awards............................................11:30AM
DIRECTIONS.
North to South
Merge onto I-15 heading south
Take the UT-156 exit- EXIT 257- toward SPANISH FORK.
0.2 miles
Turn LEFT onto N MAIN ST / UT-156. Continue to follow N MAIN ST.
2.1 miles
N MAIN ST becomes S STATE RD / UT-198.
2.6 miles
*Follow Parking Volunteers From here.
South to North
Merge onto I-15 N via the ramp toward SALT LAKE.
Take the UT-115 exit- EXIT 250- toward PAYSON / BENJAMIN.
0.2 miles
Turn RIGHT onto N MAIN ST / UT-115.
0.6 miles
Turn LEFT onto E 100 N / STATE RD / UT-198. Continue to follow STATE RD / UT-198.
*Follow Parking Volunteers From here.
PARKING.
On Saturday June 7nd, there will be no parking allowed inside race central (This is the area around Knoll Park where the transition area and finish line are located) or along Salem City streets in front of houses especially the roads 300 s and 300 w. There are designated locations where you may park your cars. Don’t worry, each of them is a just a few blocks from race central. Please follow these parking guidelines, they are for the athletes safety on the course. On race morning we will have signs and volunteers directing parking to the following locations:
Baseball Field 100 E 100 N
Elementary school Main Street
LDS Church Parking Lot Center Street & Main Street
LDS Stake House 695 South 300 West
CHECK IN PROCEDURES.
You will line up according the first letter of your last name. As you approach the check in table have your ID ready. No athletes will be allowed check in without a picture ID. The volunteer will provide your race bag including bike number, bib number, swim cap, race shirt, sponsor coupons, and hammer nutrition products. You will then move to another table for your timing chips. Then a station to write your number on your swim cap and get safety pins as needed. You will then proceed to body marking where your race number will be written on your left leg and arms and your division on your right leg.
VOLUNTEERS.
None of our events would be possible without race day volunteers. Over the course of the triathlon we ask you to please listen to and respect them. They are there for you, and the love of the race! They will either be wearing orange vests or red racetri.com shirts.
SWIM WAVES.
1 9:00 Elite Male & Female, Male 24 & under; ALL TEAMS
2 9:06 Male 25-29
3 9:12 Male 30-34
4 9:18 Male 35-44
5 9:24 Male 45 & over; Clydesdale
6 9:30 Female 29 & under
7 9:36 Female 30-44
8 9:42 Female 45 & over; Athena
*All swim wave times are approximate. If you do not leave with your assigned swim wave, you will be disqualified.
COURSE DESCRIPTION.
Transition Area Closed to spectators. Bikes racked on first come first serve basis. 8 per cross bar four on each side.
The swim is an 800 meter clockwise loop in Salem Pond. It will begin at the west boat ramp and you will follow the orange buoys in a clockwise loop. Keep all swim buoys to your right as you swim. Just under the Salem Bridge there will be a turn buoy which you will swim around and head back to shore. The swim exit will be at the beach area where you will exit, run over the grass hill and enter the transition area. Utah County Search and Rescue will be monitoring the swim and as such is requiring wetsuits for all competitors. Wetsuits add warmth and flotation for your safety. See the course maps for exact details.
The bike is a 13 mile, out and back course. You will exit out of the transition area on the north side and begin riding around the pond. Do not mount your bike until out of the transition area and be sure your helmet is on and fastened. The course will be open to traffic but heavily marked with signs. It very few turns and is basically flat other than the section up the canyon. Be responsible as you ride and yield to any traffic you may encounter. Also ride to the right of the shoulder and allow other cyclists to pass on your left. The descent down the canyon is fast but has very few turns. Be careful and use those brakes if needed! Return to the same entrance you left from and dismount at the dismount line. See the course maps for exact route.
The run will exit on the west side of the transition area. Run along the pond path and across the bridge. The run is one clockwise loop around the city streets of Salem and will be marked by large drops of white flour. There will be mile markers and an aid station at transition and at the halfway point. The run begins with a gradual incline and ends with a gradual decline. Lastly, be sure to smile as you cross that finish line!
COURSE SAFETY. (THIS IS A MANDATORY READ!)
As event directors, we are extremely concerned that each athlete leaves the race in full health (other than some sore and tired muscles!). Did you ever wonder why triathlons are organized swim, bike, run? You’d think a swim would be in between the bike and run for cool down and leg muscle recovery. The reason is… it set from most dangerous to least dangerous. They figured when you are most tired you should be running! So we have prepared this document so that each of you will be prepared to race the triathlon safely.
SWIM
Utah Search and Rescue is a huge asset to our event. They will be monitoring the swim and has been given full jurisdiction over this portion of the event. As the most dangerous of the three race disciplines, the swim requires your attention. Remember we are requiring wetsuits to be worn by all athletes because of their buoyancy and warmth. We will be providing silver swim caps that must be worn by ALL athletes. At the start organize yourselves according to swim abilities. Less experienced swimmers please start from the back of the pack or from the sides. The start of the swim is the most turbulent and less experienced swimmers should try to start in clear water away from the pack. Once swimming, remember that Utah County Search and Rescue is monitoring your safety. If at any point you seem in distress they will pull you from the swim. If you attempt to remove your wetsuit at any point while in the water, they will also pull you out no questions. REMEMBER touching the top of your head with your hand is a signal that you are okay and waving your arms is a sign that you need help. If you are removed from the water we will have spotters along the shores to get your information for race accountability. If for some reason you are not contacted by a race volunteer please go immediately to race central and report your swim removal to a race official (look for bright orange vests). It is essential that we know where everyone is. We don’t want to be looking for you in the water when you ended up getting pulled out early. If you are pulled from the swim you will be DQ’d for time but please continue the race with your bike and run.
BIKE
Obviously the biggest concern with the bike portion of the race is the dreaded crash. The course will be monitored by the Salem and Payson Police Dept. but remember to yield to traffic and be cautious. Watch for road obstacles and any other concerns. We will have the street sweeper out on the whole course, so it will be as clean as possible. There are several spots on the course where you will need to be paying special attention. 1- Use caution when crossing Elk Ridge Drive. There will be police there stopping traffic but use caution. The next area of concern is the canyon road. Ride on the shoulder and yield to cars that may pass. When riding down be reasonable with your speed and use your brakes. Saving a couple extra seconds down the canyon isn't worth risking a bad crash!
RUN
The run concerns are pretty straightforward… don’t get hit by a car or fall in a ditch! There shouldn't’t be any major concerns here. Just use your head like when you are out running every day.
POST RACE FOOD.
We will have plenty of fruit, breads, and goodies at the finish. We want you nice and full after your race. But please move through the lines as quickly as possible to allow others access. In the past we have supplied disposable water bottles at the finish but for '08 we are conserving and are supplying racetri.com bike water bottles for you to keep to be re-used. Please take ONE and only ONE when you finish. We will have water and Hammer Heed refill stations for you to fill back up as needed.
CAREERSTEP AWARDS & RAFFLE.
*We pride ourselves on a giving a good post race bash. So lounge around on the grass in the shade and cheer on other competitors as they finish. Fitness pros will be providing complimentary massages to athletes as well. Awards will be given based on male and female divisions, and yes you have to stand on the hay bale awards podium. We will also raffle off sponsored prizes to all athletes by using your race numbers. Basically it will be a good old time so stick around!
RESULTS.
Will be posted later race day on our site, www.racetri.com and www.milliseconds.com
RACE PHOTOS.
Zazoosh.com will be at the event taking photos so visit their site post race to see yourself in action!
Friday June 6 2007
Optional Pre-Race Check In at race site.......................................6:30-8:30PM
Saturday June 7 2007
Last Chance Early Morning Check-In and body marking.................6:30-8:00AM
*If you are not checked in by 8am you will be DQ'd*
Pre-Race Meeting on top of the grass hill..............................................8:30AM
Feel Nervous and Nauseous........................................................8:45-9:00AM
The First Gun Fires.............................................................................9:00AM
*All other heats follow at 6 minute intervals beginning
with elite and then going up in age groups
Triathletes race like crazy..........................................................9:00-11:00AM
Stretch, Eat food, and cheer other competitors.........................10:00-11:30AM
Careerstep Post-Race raffle, and awards............................................11:30AM
DIRECTIONS.
North to South
Merge onto I-15 heading south
Take the UT-156 exit- EXIT 257- toward SPANISH FORK.
0.2 miles
Turn LEFT onto N MAIN ST / UT-156. Continue to follow N MAIN ST.
2.1 miles
N MAIN ST becomes S STATE RD / UT-198.
2.6 miles
*Follow Parking Volunteers From here.
South to North
Merge onto I-15 N via the ramp toward SALT LAKE.
Take the UT-115 exit- EXIT 250- toward PAYSON / BENJAMIN.
0.2 miles
Turn RIGHT onto N MAIN ST / UT-115.
0.6 miles
Turn LEFT onto E 100 N / STATE RD / UT-198. Continue to follow STATE RD / UT-198.
*Follow Parking Volunteers From here.
PARKING.
On Saturday June 7nd, there will be no parking allowed inside race central (This is the area around Knoll Park where the transition area and finish line are located) or along Salem City streets in front of houses especially the roads 300 s and 300 w. There are designated locations where you may park your cars. Don’t worry, each of them is a just a few blocks from race central. Please follow these parking guidelines, they are for the athletes safety on the course. On race morning we will have signs and volunteers directing parking to the following locations:
Baseball Field 100 E 100 N
Elementary school Main Street
LDS Church Parking Lot Center Street & Main Street
LDS Stake House 695 South 300 West
CHECK IN PROCEDURES.
You will line up according the first letter of your last name. As you approach the check in table have your ID ready. No athletes will be allowed check in without a picture ID. The volunteer will provide your race bag including bike number, bib number, swim cap, race shirt, sponsor coupons, and hammer nutrition products. You will then move to another table for your timing chips. Then a station to write your number on your swim cap and get safety pins as needed. You will then proceed to body marking where your race number will be written on your left leg and arms and your division on your right leg.
VOLUNTEERS.
None of our events would be possible without race day volunteers. Over the course of the triathlon we ask you to please listen to and respect them. They are there for you, and the love of the race! They will either be wearing orange vests or red racetri.com shirts.
SWIM WAVES.
1 9:00 Elite Male & Female, Male 24 & under; ALL TEAMS
2 9:06 Male 25-29
3 9:12 Male 30-34
4 9:18 Male 35-44
5 9:24 Male 45 & over; Clydesdale
6 9:30 Female 29 & under
7 9:36 Female 30-44
8 9:42 Female 45 & over; Athena
*All swim wave times are approximate. If you do not leave with your assigned swim wave, you will be disqualified.
COURSE DESCRIPTION.
Transition Area Closed to spectators. Bikes racked on first come first serve basis. 8 per cross bar four on each side.
The swim is an 800 meter clockwise loop in Salem Pond. It will begin at the west boat ramp and you will follow the orange buoys in a clockwise loop. Keep all swim buoys to your right as you swim. Just under the Salem Bridge there will be a turn buoy which you will swim around and head back to shore. The swim exit will be at the beach area where you will exit, run over the grass hill and enter the transition area. Utah County Search and Rescue will be monitoring the swim and as such is requiring wetsuits for all competitors. Wetsuits add warmth and flotation for your safety. See the course maps for exact details.
The bike is a 13 mile, out and back course. You will exit out of the transition area on the north side and begin riding around the pond. Do not mount your bike until out of the transition area and be sure your helmet is on and fastened. The course will be open to traffic but heavily marked with signs. It very few turns and is basically flat other than the section up the canyon. Be responsible as you ride and yield to any traffic you may encounter. Also ride to the right of the shoulder and allow other cyclists to pass on your left. The descent down the canyon is fast but has very few turns. Be careful and use those brakes if needed! Return to the same entrance you left from and dismount at the dismount line. See the course maps for exact route.
The run will exit on the west side of the transition area. Run along the pond path and across the bridge. The run is one clockwise loop around the city streets of Salem and will be marked by large drops of white flour. There will be mile markers and an aid station at transition and at the halfway point. The run begins with a gradual incline and ends with a gradual decline. Lastly, be sure to smile as you cross that finish line!
COURSE SAFETY. (THIS IS A MANDATORY READ!)
As event directors, we are extremely concerned that each athlete leaves the race in full health (other than some sore and tired muscles!). Did you ever wonder why triathlons are organized swim, bike, run? You’d think a swim would be in between the bike and run for cool down and leg muscle recovery. The reason is… it set from most dangerous to least dangerous. They figured when you are most tired you should be running! So we have prepared this document so that each of you will be prepared to race the triathlon safely.
SWIM
Utah Search and Rescue is a huge asset to our event. They will be monitoring the swim and has been given full jurisdiction over this portion of the event. As the most dangerous of the three race disciplines, the swim requires your attention. Remember we are requiring wetsuits to be worn by all athletes because of their buoyancy and warmth. We will be providing silver swim caps that must be worn by ALL athletes. At the start organize yourselves according to swim abilities. Less experienced swimmers please start from the back of the pack or from the sides. The start of the swim is the most turbulent and less experienced swimmers should try to start in clear water away from the pack. Once swimming, remember that Utah County Search and Rescue is monitoring your safety. If at any point you seem in distress they will pull you from the swim. If you attempt to remove your wetsuit at any point while in the water, they will also pull you out no questions. REMEMBER touching the top of your head with your hand is a signal that you are okay and waving your arms is a sign that you need help. If you are removed from the water we will have spotters along the shores to get your information for race accountability. If for some reason you are not contacted by a race volunteer please go immediately to race central and report your swim removal to a race official (look for bright orange vests). It is essential that we know where everyone is. We don’t want to be looking for you in the water when you ended up getting pulled out early. If you are pulled from the swim you will be DQ’d for time but please continue the race with your bike and run.
BIKE
Obviously the biggest concern with the bike portion of the race is the dreaded crash. The course will be monitored by the Salem and Payson Police Dept. but remember to yield to traffic and be cautious. Watch for road obstacles and any other concerns. We will have the street sweeper out on the whole course, so it will be as clean as possible. There are several spots on the course where you will need to be paying special attention. 1- Use caution when crossing Elk Ridge Drive. There will be police there stopping traffic but use caution. The next area of concern is the canyon road. Ride on the shoulder and yield to cars that may pass. When riding down be reasonable with your speed and use your brakes. Saving a couple extra seconds down the canyon isn't worth risking a bad crash!
RUN
The run concerns are pretty straightforward… don’t get hit by a car or fall in a ditch! There shouldn't’t be any major concerns here. Just use your head like when you are out running every day.
POST RACE FOOD.
We will have plenty of fruit, breads, and goodies at the finish. We want you nice and full after your race. But please move through the lines as quickly as possible to allow others access. In the past we have supplied disposable water bottles at the finish but for '08 we are conserving and are supplying racetri.com bike water bottles for you to keep to be re-used. Please take ONE and only ONE when you finish. We will have water and Hammer Heed refill stations for you to fill back up as needed.
CAREERSTEP AWARDS & RAFFLE.
*We pride ourselves on a giving a good post race bash. So lounge around on the grass in the shade and cheer on other competitors as they finish. Fitness pros will be providing complimentary massages to athletes as well. Awards will be given based on male and female divisions, and yes you have to stand on the hay bale awards podium. We will also raffle off sponsored prizes to all athletes by using your race numbers. Basically it will be a good old time so stick around!
RESULTS.
Will be posted later race day on our site, www.racetri.com and www.milliseconds.com
RACE PHOTOS.
Zazoosh.com will be at the event taking photos so visit their site post race to see yourself in action!
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