Hello all…my local tri club in NJ, the “Sandy Hookers” (www.sandyhookers.org) has a long running local race series, last sunday of June, July, August, and September, self-regulated, self-timed, sprint distances of roughly 400m/12 miles/3 miles, really informal. Races get between 100-300 participants for a minimal entry fee of $10.00, $15.00 if you want a shirt. Not USAT sanctioned, obviously, just a fun group workout, really, and great place for beginners.
The local authorities are now requiring $5,000,000.00 (!!) in liability insurance. USAT says that only one other city requires such a high amount. USAT regs may be too onerous to keep such an event going, the whole point of the event being to be informal.
Any suggestions? Any cheap insurance companies?
(And I beat Ken Lehner to this post…it was his idea to come here for help)
local authroities? how did they get involved? screw that. re arrange it in order to “fly under the radar”, and keep it on the down low, and maintain the true spirit of the race. I mean, what the hell!!
in any case, i hope it works out for you…that is ridiculous.
Or, can you find a local sponsor who will pay for it? maybe a small company that is promoting health, or something to this effect (how about your local running shoe shop?). they can put up a drink table for afterwards and market theirselves…that’s something I would do if it were in my city (be a sponsor for an event like this that is).
Well, it was under the radar for years, but got too big, and now we need police to regulate traffic at a couple of intersections, and the town is “coming down” on all races through town, including an MS bike tour, the local jersey shore marathon, and our races. still need race permits.
Of course, a group ride can’t be stopped, but call it as “race” and they smell money or liability. (damn Lawyers)(of which i’m one)
You’d probably be surprised at how easy it is to get insurance for stuff like this. It does cost something, however, but all you have to do is fill out a form and send a check. I think I found insurance for a charity thing like this for about $500, but that was without swimming…Just go to a local insurance broker and ask. Basically, they all get their policies from the same few places, but try more than one to compare.
Get the local insurance company as a sponsor!!! Thats what our St Augustine Historic Inns did with our Annual Christmas Tour of the 28 B&B’s in the area. We got our Association insurance compan as a sponsor for the event. The Company name was posted on everything as a Sponsor and he GAVE us money that was way more then the premium for the tour insurance. We made money off of him!!
i’ve heard about your races and think they’re awesome. our tri club at school managed to get insurance for a tri with some pretty nasty descents on the bike for a reasonable price, although we did have to find them (they were in some obscure mid-west city, we’re in berkeley CA) good luck, i’d hate to see it fizzle out. what if you just call it a group triathlon workout? haha.
Another option is to approach the local Y or other organization (doesn’t have to be a gym) to ask them to include the events on their already existing policy. One of our free local events, a mile swim, is sponsored by the local lifeguard association who includes our event on their insurance rider. Have you tried a local cycling club to ask them to include your events on their policy? Unfortunately this is what happens when a series of “underground” events becomes too popular, it becomes noticed.
I’ll echo Kittycat. Ditch the cops for traffic, and do whatever you would do on a large group ride. Even if there are 500 of you, everybody can deal with their own safety just like they do everyday during training. If there are left turns and stop lights, then that is all part of the race.
If you HAVE to get insurance, there was a series of posts just a few weeks ago from a UT race director with some similar questions under the title: USAT sanctioning - Y or N
There was a lot of talk there about some good places to get insurance, and some things to keep in mind when having a policy written up. Check it out.