Thursday, September 27, 2012

WEATHER DELAY/CANCELATION POLICY


RAIN- The event will NOT be cancelled due to rain alone unless the downpour is such that athletes, lifeguards, police, and volunteers lose visibility making situations unsafe. If this occurs we will wait until the rain subsides and follow the same procedure listed for lightning conditions (minus the 30 minute rule). If race officials determine that the bike portion of the race will be unsafe due to wet roads, the race will be changed to a swim-run duathlon. Athletes will be informed of such a change via announcements on race morning.

FOG - Fog is not typically an issue. In the rare event that fog is so thick it poses a safety concern we will delay the start of the race until which time the fog has either lifted or too much time has passed to proceed as planned. In the event that too much time has passed to have the swim portion of the event we will follow the same procedure of progression as if there were lightning (minus the 30 minute rule).

LIGHTNING- In the event of lightning the race will be postponed by 30 minutes every time lightning is spotted and thunder is heard within 6 miles of the event. If lightning is still within 6 miles at 7:45 AM, then all athletes will be automatically changed to the sprint distance triathlon. If lightning continues to delay the event past 8:45 AM the event will then be changed to a bike / run duathlon with waves following the set order of olympic going followed by the sprint (although everyone will then be doing the sprint distance). Please note that every time lightning strikes and thunder is heard within 6 miles of the race site we must delay the start by 30 minutes. If the start of the duathlon is delayed past 9:15 AM everyone will then be running a 5k only. If the start of the 5k is delayed past 10:15 AM the entire event will unfortunately be cancelled.

TORNADO WARNING - If at anytime before (race morning close to start time) or during the event, a tornado warning is issued, the race will be cancelled. 

ON COURSE CANCELATION - If the race is canceled due to storms (lightning and/or excessive rain) or tornado warnings while it is in progress we will do everything in our power to alert everyone on the course. All police, SAG, and medical personnel will be made aware and do all they can to warn and SAG in all participants. We will also do everything in our power to assist those that are still on course. Those that are on course without means of rescue should seek immediate shelter via open stores, buildings, garages, homes and/or any other means of protection from the dangerous conditions. There are schools and fire stations along the routes (West Road and 529) that may be utilized in such situations. If it gets bad and we are not there to help you off the course please do everything you can to keep yourself safe and take shelter.

REFUNDS - As listed on the registration page there are no refunds of any kind after the cutoff date. Race morning is past the cutoff. In the event of a course alteration/change, delay, or cancelation, there will also be no refunds. Registration fees are spent long before the race begins on up front costs like police, traffic control, staff, food, vendors, contractors, awards, medals, volunteers, medical, permits, venue acquisition and athlete amenities.