FINAL PRE-MEET INFORMATION for the
FOR THURSDAY (today)
1 - At this
point, I can only take scratches or substitutions. feel
free to email them 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 - Weather
should not be an issue.....if that changes, I will
send another email PLUS update the website with any information about
weather impacts.
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
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. Just like Forrest Gump, you never
know what you are
going to get on race day morning traffic. It is a simple two-lane road that
"could" get backed up....so it is advised
that folks plan to arrive a little earlier than they normally would. I don't
anticipate it will be backed up much at all
unless an
accident or stalled vehicle occurs....but just in case....give yourselves a
little extra time.
If traffic backups occur, it might happen that the traffic police will put a
hold on any vehicles (except team busses & vans with a school name on the
side) turning left
into the
main parking lot closest to the course. If traffic is backing up during the
busiest time for arrivals (
left turn
except for busses and team vans with a school name on it.
Don't yell
out your window to them that you are a coach,....they
will blow their whistle, give you a dirty look, and wave you to keep moving to
other
parking
lots on
What does this mean for you or anyone arriving with equipment to carry into
the course?
It means
you should plan to arrive before
Remember,
this will only happen if traffic starts backing up.....but you should be aware
that from
unmarked
cars/trucks will be directed into lots other than the main lot.
Handicapped spectator cars will be allowed the left turn in addition to school
busses and marked team vans.
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.