FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 12, 2007 M****edia Contacts: Brotman·Winter·Fried Communications 703-534-4600 Sam Perry x217 / Mike Schaffer x202 sperry@bwfcom.com / mike@bwfcom.com ** ** Swimming made legal for triathlon competitors on September 29th, 2007
DC triathlete Mayor Adrian Fenty competing for a first time ever swim in the Potomac River set for The Nation’s Triathlon®
July 12, 2007 – (Washington, D.C.) – Triathletes competing in The Nation’s Triathlon in September are exempt from the law banning swimming in the Potomac River, after the DC Council passes the DC Triathlon Act. This amendment keeps the current ban on swimming for the public intact but amends the law to state that “…swimming shall be allowed on September 29, 2007 by those persons who are registered participants in the triathlon organized and hosted by The Nation’s Triathlon…” This first time swim exemption comes on the heals of more than 20 months of work between The Nation’s Triathlon® and numerous DC Agencies that included sustained water quality testing and the development of swimmer safety plans. The act was passed only after tests results continuously demonstrated the water to be swim-quality safe.
“We thank the DC Council for passing this important legislation and supporting triathlon in the nation’s capital” says Charles Brodsky, Founder of The Nation’s Triathlon® “This legislation clears the way for the issuance of the swim permit which we still require in order to produce the race.
Water quality will be tested up until race day. The legislation contains a provision that calls for the cancellation of the swim if water quality does not meet swimming standards. Brodsky says, “Like other triathlons, this one is now in the hands of Mother Nature. If she keeps the rain away we’ll have watch a magnificent triathlon swim take place right in Georgetown Harbor.” Triathletes will be supported by dozens of kayaks, EMS patrol craft and other safety measures. The Nation’s Triathlon®, and the agencies of the DC Government urge people NOT to go swimming in the Potomac River as itts still a banned activity.
The Nation’s Triathlon LLC, is a Washington, DC based production company that owns The Nation’s Triathlon® More information can be found at www.thenationstriathlon.com.
I think its amazing all the work you have done to get this tri put together with all the logistical nightmares that im sure have happened. However, if this just got approved, haven’t you been falsly advertising it as a triathlon for the last however many months when you weren’t sure you were even going to get a permit?
Water quality will be tested up until race day. The legislation contains a provision that calls for the cancellation of the swim if water quality does not meet swimming standards. Brodsky says, “Like other triathlons, this one is now in the hands of Mother Nature. If she keeps the rain away we’ll have watch a magnificent triathlon swim take place right in Georgetown Harbor.” Triathletes will be supported by dozens of kayaks, EMS patrol craft and other safety measures. The Nation’s Triathlon®, and the agencies of the DC Government urge people NOT to go swimming in the Potomac River as itts still a banned activity.
Being a DC resident with some knowledge on permitting and health regulations, this legislation is extremely limited. Mr. Brodsky faces an incredible uphill battle to put swimmers in the water. His odds of success are about 30%.
The article he references provided much more information regarding how DC removes raw sewage after a heavy rainfall. During and after a heavy rainfall, the city opens up the sewer system along the stretch of the planned swim and the waste is emptied directly into the Potomac River. The river takes about 2 weeks of no rain in the entire Washington Metropolitan region for the fecal matter levels to decrease under accepted swimming levels. Even if the city doesn’t open the gates, there is plenty of upstream runoff to contaminate this stretch of water.
If you plan on spending the money and participating in this event, plan your training on doing a duathlon.
Mr. Brodsky, while I’m sure very enthusiastic and wants to believe, continues to misrepresent the event and his chances for success. Last year’s inaugural event never had a swimming permit yet he continuously promoted the event as a triathlon.
G - since you are in possession of information we’ve never seen or been exposed to can you please provide the source and data or proof of any kind showing our chance of success at 30%? Can you also please provide proof of the two week time frame for cleaning out the Potomac. I ask because your assertions are diametrically opposed to the data we’ve been gathering for the last 20 months. I am very open to people expressing their opinions and talking about the race but your fact based posting needs some backup as I believe it is entirely incorrect and blashphemous. While you may have the best of intentions remember it is our common goal to bring this event to DC - not just ours and not just mine. If you cannot substantiate your claims please refrain from acting as an expert and posting them. Thank you.
I think its amazing all the work you have done to get this tri put together with all the logistical nightmares that im sure have happened. However, if this just got approved, haven’t you been falsly advertising it as a triathlon for the last however many months when you weren’t sure you were even going to get a permit?
Grant
Grant you are so spot on. I have always gotten the feeling this race has been very poorly advertised. This goes back to last year when all of a sudden they didn’t get the swim permit and it became a duathlon, AND the bike was shortened to 30K from 40K. IMO, the race director has made this much more about HIM and HIS desire to put on a race in DC than about the ATHLETES. It is possible this will workout perfectly; however, what would have happened if Mayor Fenty was not able to get this on the schedule for the last city council meeting? The race would not have been a triathlon, and I have a suspicion no refunds would have been given.
I think its amazing all the work you have done to get this tri put together with all the logistical nightmares that im sure have happened. However, if this just got approved, haven’t you been falsly advertising it as a triathlon for the last however many months when you weren’t sure you were even going to get a permit?
Grant
Grant you are so spot on. I have always gotten the feeling this race has been very poorly advertised. This goes back to last year when all of a sudden they didn’t get the swim permit and it became a duathlon, AND the bike was shortened to 30K from 40K. IMO, the race director has made this much more about HIM and HIS desire to put on a race in DC than about the ATHLETES. It is possible this will workout perfectly; however, what would have happened if Mayor Fenty was not able to get this on the schedule for the last city council meeting? The race would not have been a triathlon, and I have a suspicion no refunds would have been given.
Last year, Charles offered a discount on a 2007 entry for those who entered the 2006 duathlon. I declined (“fool me once…”).
This is a race ahead of its time. While I’m impressed with Mr. Brodsky’s efforts and persistence, I found the explanations for last year’s swim cancellation to be less than illuminating.
Perhaps Mr. Brodsky could share with us the testing results in the 2 weeks following a major rain in the DC area over the past 20 months? That might go some way towards alleviating concern about the weather window in which this swim might go forward.
I’m sorry Chuck, believe me, as an active athlete in the area who grew up in DC, I wish I could jump in that river and compete but since you requested, here you go.
Here’s the link to the article referenced by Mr. Brodsky with a couple of accompanying quotes. While there are quotes about people espousing the positives, the tone of the article is hopeful but definitely cautious and more likely doubtful.
“There is going to be raw sewage spilling into that river, and it’s going to be there a while” after a rain, said Rebecca Wodder, president of the Washington-based activist group American Rivers. “You can’t know when it’s safe, as an individual, so we would recommend that you don’t swim.”
“It might not be safe to swim in every day, but it could be safe to swim in any day,” said Charles Brodsky, organizer of the Nation’s Triathlon, whose competitors will swim 1.5 kilometers – about nine-tenths of a mile – in the river Sept. 29.
“Some of these bacteria are from livestock farms in the Potomac’s rural headwaters. Others come from the suburbs, where droppings from geese and household pets wash down with rainwater. In the District, an outmoded wastewater system – now at the beginning of a 20-year cleanup plan – still dumps raw sewage into Potomac tributaries during storms.”
Here is a link to weather statistics in DC. DC receives over 4 inches of rain in September where rain exceeds accumulating levels 6 out of 30 days. September receives the 5th most precipitation in DC with heavier rainfalls at the beginning of the month according to trend. http://www.theweathernetwork.com/statistics/C02778/usdc0001
Again, I would say to anyone considering the event or already entered, plan appropriately.
30%??? How did you calculate that? This is simply inaccurate and false, bordering on slander. I have detailed knowledge of the permit process, wherein there are over a dozen organizations that must give the OK, right down to organized church groups and local neighborhood organizations, not to mention the many security organizations that operate within the DC area. Problem is, many of these groups don’t even know about each other, resulting in a highly fragmented permit process. The Nation’s Tri is the first to successfully navigate this extensive process. Obtaining the many permits is not black and white, as you can obtain 11 of the 12 permits and the swim will not take place. Last year, the Nation’s Tri was given all the permits…the only challenge was testing of the water that stopped the swim…the city administration was high supportive…backed it up…the testing issue was simply a technical glitch. So, 30% makes no sense. This year…only one thing can stop it…if it rains…and that is the same situation for any Tri in any US city, such as NYC or Philly.
Given your perspective of 30% based on “some knowledge” and that Mr. Brodsky faces an “incredible uphill battle” implying he will not be successful, and that interested and informed athletes should plan on “doing a duathlon” is very poor judgment and simply inaccurate. I think you should apologize as you are misleading readers and creating a negative impression. Bottom line - The Nation’s Tri has been successful. The swim is a go! Last year was a learning year for the DC administration…the many organizations that make up the DC government thought that all permits were given…and it was only the final days that they realized the testing issue of the water was a technical glitch. This year, Mr. Brodsky has gone beyond the call of duty to make it happen…down to lobbying for the change of law to testing water 3x more than any other US Tri. I am extremely proud of Mr. Brodsky. As a DC resident, I have not known of any individual that has worked so hard to bring an elective sporting event and additional income to the city.
Although the swim did not occur last year, it was no fault of Mr. Brodsky. This year, it will happen. Congratulations to the Nation’s Triathlon. There is certainly some “misrepresentation”, but it is not Mr. Brodsky…it is from an uninformed person posting opinion and trying to pass it along as fact. Everyone has opinions, but…let’s get the story straight…and more importantly…the facts. t+
I don’t have a feeling one way or another about whether the race is going to be any good. However, I do feel there’s a reason that people can’t swim in this river normally, and that would be because it’s polluted. Certain tributaries around the Potomac have incredible levels of pollution (I’ll leave it up to anyone wanting to do a google search). The histrionics cbrodsky and ttong (as well as the ignorance of the meanings of blasphemy and slander respectively) certainly don’t give the impression that the locale and permit process in DC are particularly well thought out. Then again, there’s a measure of personal responsibility on each person racing to determine whether or not they’re getting into the water or not.
Well I only do a few triathlons each spring/summer - but in 99% of them or more, the swim has been in a body of water where swimming is not allowed any other day of the year. Some because of water quality, some because of safety (e.g. strong currents, etc.). or both. Is it legal to swim in the Hudson River in NYC, or the East River? Legal to swim in the Schuykill at Boathouse Row? I"m not sure - but I know you can’t swim in the lake at Columbia, MD except for the triathlon. so, I don’t know that it being illegal every other day means we shouldn’t take a risk and have a go at it on race day.
To restate, I did not allude to a successful race. I stated that Mr. Brodsky has been successful in securing the many permits that are required to have the swim. Maybe I’m not clear about your questions. Can you please rephrase? Thanks, t+
and considering every one of your posts appears to have been to put this one event on a pedestal…
it is great the permitting process is working out in favor of the event.
but that does not appear to be the key question being presented.
based on event and venue history, isn’t this really a du…with the potential of becoming a tri?
athletes can swim in nasty water all they want provided the river will be open. but when that is in question up to the last days or maybe even the morning of, that seems like a very legitimate question.
Hi everyone…interesting perspectives. I appreciate them all. ttong’s post got me thinking…passionate person, but seems fair and accurate from my knowledge of local government. From my understanding, DC authorities (local government across many agencies) are generally anti-risk. What I mean is that…if there is a slight chance that people can get sick from swimming in the river…then they tend to ban it all together…to avoid any risk and liability. Government is there to protect the citizen…If the river is clean 95% of the time and swim-safe…there would still be limitations…and a responsibility to act. I believe that local authorities could not effectively manage the 5% risk…they don’t have the resources to run around and post when the river can support swimming…it’s just easier to say NO altogether. For me, it’s not about pollution…it’s about managing policy that reduces risk. Sure, there are times that the river is not safe to swim in, but for most of the time…it’s actually safe.
Relating to the Potomac…take a look at all the major Triathlons in the US around major cities…no one claims safety to swim all year around and in any condition…I think the main point is…certain times…it is safe (backed up by rigorous testing)…and if it is not…then the swim will not happen.
This event, being relatively new to DC will continue to generate controversy…especially since DC residences have an historic negative perspective of the river. I think that over time, this will not be an issue…just look at all the other major Triathlons in other major US cities. Until that happens, each competitor will have to make up their own minds, as noted by nippycrisp. I do hope, as a DC resident…that people give it a chance…it can only benefit the city. I really don’t see the value in being negative…I support this event and hope that the river eventually gets a better reputation backed up by factual evidence. Thanks for reading my two cents. Peace (-:
