Ralphs Update

Message from the Race Directors in regard to the
Ralphs California Half Ironman and the current world
situation

By: Roch Frey/Paul Huddle March 19, 2003

OCEANSIDE, Calif.-Many athletes who are competing in
the
Ralphs California Half-Ironman Triathlon have
expressed
concern about the bike course being on Marine Corps
Base
Camp Pendleton and the possibility of the base being
closed due to war with Iraq or terrorist warnings.

As of today the race, including the bike course on
Camp
Pendleton, is still on as scheduled. While the
likelihood is that the race will go on as scheduled,
there is always an outside chance that an executive
order will come down and close all military bases,
thus
not allowing for the race to utilize Camp Pendleton
for
the bike.

That possibility is slim, but does exist. According to
the City of Oceanside’s Police Liaison officer, the
base
has been shut down only once in the past 30 or so
years,
and remained open during the Gulf War.

Keep in mind that the attitude of the base and the
Commanding General is that terrorist activities will
not
affect the American way of life and this event is a
reflection of that exact statement.

Our back-up plan for this race is quite simple. If,
for
some reason, we don’t have use of Camp Pendleton for
our
bike course, there will be no bike ride. We have been
unable to secure a 56-mile ride off the base, which is
why we are utilizing it in the first place.

The race will become a swim/run duathlon and all prize
money, awards and Ironman qualifying slots will be
given
accordingly.

We look forward to a great event on April 5th that
includes a 1.2-mile swim in Oceanside Harbor, a
56-mile
bike ride on Camp Pendleton, and a 13.1-mile run
through
the neighborhoods of coastal Oceanside.

All the best,

Paul Huddle & Roch Frey
Co-Race Directors