I participated in a duathlon at Sebago Lake, Maine on Sunday. The race director believed it was the first multi-sport event held in New England since the onset of the pandemic. It thereby serves as a kind of litmus test of the efficacy of new racing protocols instituted to protect the health of the racers. The director has requested that we report back if we test positive for Covid in the next several weeks so other participants can be notified and for contact tracing. While we won’t know for sure for a while if the protocols worked, I’d like to give my impressions and describe what the race was like so if any of you are considering a race in the near future you can have a better idea what to expect and make a slightly more informed decision.
Here is what the race company, TriMe, did to reduce people density and maximize social distancing and safety:
- it had us check in on-line and do a pre-event health screening
- the pre-race meeting was a zoom meeting Friday night and was recorded for anyone who could not attend.
- TriMe requested we self body mark prior to the race using our own markers (although it provided back-up)
- we had to estimate our finish times at least two days before the race and were seeded and placed in waves accordingly. No more than 50 athletes were allowed in the venue at a time. Each wave had its own transition set-up time and start time.
- each 13 foot bike rack had spots for only 3 bikes allowing for 6’ spacing. The bikes on the end of each rack faced east, the one in the middle faced west. It was a luxurious amount of space! Our race packet hung from the rack at our specified spot.
- the only close contact was with an official who checked our proof of identity
- face masks were mandatory for racers, staff, volunteers and spectators at all times except for those actually in the process of racing. TriMe discouraged spectators from coming.
- TriMe used a time trial start, with the fastest (by estimate) seed of wave 1 leaving first with progressively slower athletes (lining up at 6’ delineated spots) following every 20 seconds. The second wave left 30 minutes after the start of the 1st wave. I thought the seeding worked really well. I passed or was passed only 6 times during the entire race with racers giving as wide a berth as possible. That was enough racer “contact” to give it the feel of a real race. The run and bike courses were loops thereby avoiding close encounters that would happen with out-and-back courses.
- The finish line had self-serve hydration and pre-made bagged nutrition. The finishers did a good job of social distancing and not congregating at the finish area.
- There was no timing trailer to get your results, but one could opt for a phone message, a message which arrived almost immediately after a racer finished the race.
- Finisher medals were in the race packets.
- The award ceremony was a zoom meeting that evening and awards are being mailed.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the race, felt comfortably safe and thought the protocols worked well. The event, normally a triathlon, became a duathlon because the organizers felt they could not provide social distancing getting into and out of the water given the layout of the swim venue.
For those considering a race, here is the upcoming schedule:
Live Free and Tri-Freedom NH August 29,30- sprint, Olympic and half - http://tritekevents.com/events/
Sunapee- Sept 19 – Sunapee NH - Olympic. http://www.millenniumrunning.com/sunapeetri
Wallis Sands- Sept 20- Rye NH- Sprint triathlon/duathlon. https://tri-maine.com/wallis-sands-triathlon/
About the Author
Coach Jeff '76, is a retired Construction Company owner and long term Hanover/Dartmouth lacrosse coach. He is a current Dartmouth Tri Club coach and triathlon competitor. In his free time, he loves working/playing anything outdoors.
