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 8pm tonight. After 8pm, we will be making packets.

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 Old Hickory Boulevard for busses until about 6:30pm

Have them stay on the gravel and park just alongside of the gravel.

 

DON'T have your bus driver go up that little bitty road "Vaughn Road" along the side of the course,...it is a real bear to

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 Hickory Boulevard 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 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.

-----------------------------