I just read the Key Rules to the ChesapeakeMan Iron Distance Race on 9 Oct 2004 although the water temp will be far below the 78 degree standard rule NO wetsuits will be allowed, also there will not be a bike special needs bag. I have been training since May the way I was going to race.This really pisses me off that they post the rules after the sign up date passes.
Is the Armstrong quip related to your complaint?
Regardless of what some may think about INMA and WTC ironman events, they’re much better organized than many “irondistance” events. I recently did an irondistance event that was billed as a pancake flat fast course. I’d just done an IM but I figured doing another race would be fun, especially since it was an “easy” one and I was already trained up. They completely changed the course a week before the event. The RD told everyone it was due to “water quality issues” but we all knew the host city had gone to court to keep them out. Also, the race was extremely poorly organized and the RD acted as though he couldn’t care less about the athletes. When I finished they couldn’t even find me a bottle of water! The people who I saw finish actually had to ask for a medal. They were given generic medals that didn’t even have the name of the race on them. Despite claiming on their website that they were giving the top placers “gold, silver and bronze medallions” the only thing they gave the top 3 placers were identical generic medals with the name of the race on them. To top it off I paid $350 for the race. I know some RD’s go out of their way to try to put on a good show, but this was not the case with my “irondistance event.” You may be experiencing the same thing.
That’s strange. One page says:
"The water temp in October can range from 66-72’F. Wetsuits are allowed and encouraged. "
And the other says:
“No fins, paddles, snorkels, wetsuits**, full body suits or flotation devices of any kind allowed.”
Nothing like a contradiction, to brighten your day.
Looks like disc wheels are banned as well:
“No tandems, recumbents, fairings, solid wheels, wheel covers or any add-on device designed exclusively to reduce resistance are allowed.”
Good luck!
If you are referring to a certain iron race in Canada that occurs in the first week of August in Harrison …you may note that it is not sanctioned by Tri BC and is known to have a scandalous reputation among those who have done the series of races there (I did one and was a volunteer at the iron as well…never again). Sanctioning does mean something…at least an attempt to put on a safe race. I believe the double ** behind the wetsuit comment was directing you to the USAT rules which is anything below 75 degrees is wetsuit legal for age groupers.
Hey, I’m not mentioning any race names. Good “guess” though. At the race I’m referring to, which shall remain nameless, a racer mentioned before the start that he was going to wear headphones for the run AND bike. The RD said he didn’t think it was a good idea but he guessed it was okay. He then asked me “what does Ironman do?” They say on their website that they follow the WTC rules yet he didn’t even know what they are. By the way, Ironotter, I don’t expect your race to be that way at all. I’d probably do yours but my son’s birthday is the day before the race and I’ve vowed to not miss important family events for races.
Good promise. Negotiating the race season is now becoming one of the integral parts of my marriage.
Unlike Lance, I have two balls (no longer connected).
My excuse is lack of backbone! Ha! (I do have broken physical one, but I have no backbone figuratively speaking)
What do I win? (for best excuse)
Well, the truth is an absolute defense to claims of libel and slander, so I really don’t mind naming the race. After I did it I stated I wouldn’t slam them on the net, but I agree with what you’re saying. The race was the Bigfoot Full Triathlon. It was in Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia. A week before the race they announced it was in the “city” of Harrison Mills which was about 15 mile away. I never did see a city. Just a total white trash (no offense to any white trash out there) campground for T1 and a decent golf course for T2 and the finish. They told me that 30 people had signed up for the full so I decided to do it about a week before the race. Only 17 people actually started and 14 finished. Despite how poor and unsafe the race was I’m still glad I did it. It was the total opposite to the race I’d done a month before (IMG.) I was on my own for the entire thing. It was an eye-opener to not be cater to the way IMNA does it.
I’m sure Ironotter won’t mind me saying he’s the RD for The Grand Columbian Full and half Irondistance race in Washington State this Sept. From everything I can see he is doing his absolute best to put on a great race for the athletes and spectators.
I wrote to their website and Bob’s answer was “a typo wetsuits are allowed”. I did not expect such a fast reply especially since it was after 4pm est when I sent them the email, and they are having a bike special needs bag, so I feel better.
As for my Lance sig, I work in a rehab program and use that line on my patients, both of mine are still attached.
glad to hear that! Vigo does put on quality races and it would be very unusual for him not to consider the fact that many first-timers would like to have and are counting on those luxuries. Good luck!
I wasn’t going to comment, but somebody said you were the RD for an upcoming race. So this is more out of concern for helping you “get it right”.
You said:
I believe the double ** behind the wetsuit comment was directing you to the USAT rules which is anything below 75 degrees is wetsuit legal for age groupers.
Actually the USAT Rule reads as follows:
When the water temperature is greater than 78 degrees, but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, age group participants may wear a wet suit at their own discretion, provided however that participants who wear a wet suit within this temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards
So actually, the cut off is 79.99999, etc. degrees, not “anything below 75 degrees” and they are still legal up to <84, but you can’t get prizes or awards. I was at a race where they had this totally screwed up, and created a lot of confusion just a few minutes to gun time.
My bad…should have looked it up. Not too worried. Expected water temp on race day the Grand Columbian 67-69 degrees. It was 70 during our August training weekend.
Didn’t mean to criticize. Just trying to help. I hope it didn’t come off snotty.