Hi Coaches,
Listed
below is the FINAL PRE-MEET INFORMATION for you to use to prepare for
coming to
compete
in the A.F. Bridges meet. I'm really looking forward to another great meet.
FOR
THURSDAY (today)
1 – I can
take any adds, scratches, or changes until
Feel free
to email anything to me at jimkaiser@mindspring.com.
The meet page at www.alltraxtiming.com
is completely updated with all teams and athletes entered.
Again, I
don't need to know if an athlete is running Varsity or JV....the coach just
needs to make sure that
only 7
athletes show up to the starting line in the Varsity races.
2. The
website also has the starting box assignments, course maps, and Metro Parks policies & rules for use info.
3. Weather
should not be an issue for the meet itself….however, with the rains the last
few days, the Parks Department
may feel
the parking lots will be too “soft”,…so be prepared to follow the directions in
the parking lots to stay on harder ground.
You should
check your email and the website on Friday afternoon/evening in case we have to
enact some kind of specific
parking
plan in order to avoid damage to the grass parking lots.
FOR
FRIDAY
1- The
course is available on Friday only because it is a public park. So I
may see many
of you
out there while preparing the course.
2- If you
are coming to the course on Friday,...bring your own
water,...and plan to use the restroom before coming.
The portajohns on the infield are closed up until Saturday
morning. I can point you
or your athletes to a small building
with a
bathroom if you see me on the course. I always suggest packing an extra
roll or two of toilet paper.
3- The
major parking entrance open will be open along
Have them
stay on the gravel and park just alongside of the gravel.
turn
around in a large vehicle.
IF it rains
a LOT on Thursday,...the parks department might
tell me I have to keep the main lot closes on Friday to dry it
out and
avoid damage to the property. If this were to happen, I suggest you make plans
to have the bus drop your team
off, then
park in a public parking lot and wait for the coach to call the bus driver back
for a pick-up.
4- Tell
your kids to watch their footing. If you are not familiar with the Steeplechase,
you should know that this
is a
"traditional" cross country course (bumpy in places) and not a
"golf course" cross country course.
5- I'll be
working all day Friday at the course and other various errands, so I
won't be able to check email until
late,
late in the evening. If you have an emergency question, my cellphone
is 859-492-9990
FOR
SATURDAY
1- TRAFFIC
ADVISORY ---
It would be
good for you to inform your parents & assistant coaches planning to attend
the meet about the
traffic
& parking as it impacts their arrival. Old
backed
up....so it is advised that folks plan to arrive a little earlier than they
normally would. I don't anticipate
it will
get backed up much at all unless an
accident or stalled vehicle occurs....but just in case....give yourselves a
little extra time.
2- PACKET
PICK-UP is one of the first things you should accomplish once you arrive at the
course. Pick-up is near the finish line area.
3- Be sure
to tell your athletes not to crumple their numbers and to be sure to pin all 4
corners so that the number
is easily
visible at the finishline.
4- Bring
Extra Toilet Paper and Water......you probably already do but I figure it can't
hurt to say it.
We have
water at the finish line for athletes finishing a race only.
5- Trainers
/ Medical Staff will be located behind the finish line (near the finishline tent).
6- A wide
variety of t-shirts (short sleeve, long sleeve, technical fabric shirts, etc)
will be available this
year
thanks to a company called Fine Designs that help provide a lot of variety.
7- Each
team will get a Trash bag,...WE BEG that you tie your
bag to your tent or near your tarp and tell your
kids to
use that bag for their trash. It isn't fun picking up gunky
banana peels, orange peels & half full water bottles after the meet.
Your
team should be responsible for picking up the trash in their
team area before leaving the meet.
Thanks! and be careful on the way to the meet.
Jim K.
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