FINAL PRE-MEET INFORMATION for the Tennessee Classic.

 

 

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 Old Hickory Boulevard for busses until about 6:30pm

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. 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 (8:15am to 9:15am), they may stop allowing that

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 Vaughn Road or across from the course.
What does this mean for you or anyone arriving with equipment to carry into the course?

It means you should plan to arrive before 8:15am or after 9:15am if you want to avoid carrying a lot of equipment from the parking lot across the street.

Remember, this will only happen if traffic starts backing up.....but you should be aware that from 8:15 to 9:15....you might run into a situation where

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.