Generic poll created… let’s see where the majority is…
VOTE HERE:
http://snappoll.com/poll/215657.php
The debate is here:
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=1456319;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread
bump…
you could add a third option, yes allow it but using seperate chute.
you could add a third option, yes allow it but using seperate chute.
NAS and WTC would never go for that… Most venues just don’t have the space. It would be a logistical nightmare!
but i didn’t think whether or not they would allow it was the point of your poll, they have a rule against it, but look the other way when it happens so…
Gosh, I don’t know how to vote on that. Even though it is a ‘clearly stated rule’, they have a corral and a system for family members to join their racer across the line. So, while they have the rule, they’re promoting the opposite.
I guess my answer is, if they provide a corral, then yes, otherwise no.
Gosh, I don’t know how to vote on that. Even though it is a ‘clearly stated rule’, they have a corral and a system for family members to join their racer across the line. So, while they have the rule, they’re promoting the opposite.
I guess my answer is, if they provide a corral, then yes, otherwise no.
I’m pretty sure the corral is where the family member are suppose to be waiting for there loved one “after” they cross the finish line, not before. There are several athletes that after they cross the line they collapse and/or are supported by volunteers. I think a bunch of family members bunched up at the finish line could hamper the efforts of the hard working volunteers trying to help the athletes.
I wonder how many folks would still bring their families across the line with them if the second chute wasn’t setup like a main chute and was away from the “main” chute. My guess would be less than 5.
Wrong. IMAZ07 had a corral before the finish line. You had to get a yellow wrist band to get in to it. Then, when your finisher ran by, they’d send you out and you’d join him/her and run the 20 yds down the chute to the finish. I do think they had a limit on the number who could join a finisher.
There is one before the finish at LP as well. I can’t recall one in CdA but I am guessing it is there.
Wrong. IMAZ07 had a corral before the finish line. You had to get a yellow wrist band to get in to it. Then, when your finisher ran by, they’d send you out and you’d join him/her and run the 20 yds down the chute to the finish. I do think they had a limit on the number who could join a finisher.
Don’t know about IMAZ. I’ve done 6 IM’s, (5 IMF and 1 IMUSA) both had chutes behind the finish line…
Good idea. Here’s how it is running now:
**Ironman Finishing Chute Protocol**
Should family members be allowed to accompany there IM finisher down the chute across the finish line even though the race rules clearly state it is not allowed? No 68% 38 Yes 32% 18 total votes: 56
Big marathons have “bandit” catchers close to the finish where they do not allow “family members” as well.
I still don’t understand why?
my experience has been that the kids and family members are almost immediately escorted to the side, by designated volunteers, after crossing the finish line. The kids are held in a corral about 50m out from the finish, and then are held in another corral after the finish until a spouse, etc. picks them up. I’ve finished 5 of my 7 IM’s with my kids and in almost every instance they were escorted away before a catcher even got to me. It’s been a suprisingly fluid process. Granted, I’ve always had reasonable buffers between me and the person behind me, nor am I finishing in a huge pack.
Now, one of the races where I didn’t finish with my kids, I had my finish “ruined” by a woman who paraded down the finishing chute like she was the only person in the race - zig zagging from side to side, high-fiving everyone, and giving the number 1 sign in between with both hands. In fact she backed up 3-4 people with her antics - how do you propose to deal with that?
Also, my interpretation of the rule is that the ‘finish area’ is the space behind the finish line - and as I noted above, I’ve always experienced them doing an excellent job of keeping that area clear.
Reason 1: They aren’t paying customers (not covered by insurance, etc., etc…)
Reason 2: For some people a good finish photo is very important. Having someone elses entourage block the photographer from capturing yur new Ironman PR miay be cause for disgruntlement.
Of all the unscientific polls on Slowtwitch! Sure it all in good fun, but just a little biased…
I would assume the large group of Ironman finishers who prefer to be able to finish with loved ones aren’t on ST nearly as much as those who hate the idea (“where the majority is…”.
Was SHOCKING to see 70% not in favor…
Louisville had a volunteer inside the ropes at a gap in the chute who was in charge of making sure kids, etc. got into the chute in a controlled manner…and there were some MASSIVE groups getting in…
The entire rest of the race course within the last .1-.2 miles (including the turn to to head out onto loop two) was very securely fenced off…
Until the race organizers let their actions speak, their words are meaningless and open to interpretation…
My useless .02,
Paul
This almost happened to me sunday at IMLou. As I approached the chute there was a guy in front of me with his small children. I was going to slow up and let them finish but when I looked behind me there was a guy with his family closing in. Fortunately, one of the little kids in the front group dropped something and when everyone stopped to wait for her I zipped around em.
Like many things in a crowded society this boils down to individual responsiblity.
If I had two kids, a dog, my grandmother and my wife at the finish who wanted to be in my finish photo and I was heading in toward the finish chute, say, a block away- the clock reads 11:58:20 and I am dying to break 12 hours and some fellow is next to me I figure the gentlemanly and sporting thing to do is to turn to the fellow next to you and say something like, “Hey, Bud, my family wants to cross the line with me- if you want to go up ahead- go now- I don’t want to spoil your photo…”
Can’t we just handle it that way?
Here’s an idea (the photo guys could make more too). Set up a ‘Fake’ Finishing Area that looks exactly like the ‘Actual’ Finishing Area… you could take numerous photos after the actual finish, have it so your finishing time would read up there, and that way there is no fan interference durring the actual finish.