I’m going to start off by giving some Big Kudos to Market to Market Race Director Ben Cohoon. From his Captains Only news release today:
“As a participant and a captain I am asking you to help us put the best foot forward for runners and the event. Without your cooperation on this the Market To Market Relay may not be allowed to continue.
This year we have started a Zero Tolerance policy if your team is caught by an Official or Volunteer doing any of the following your team will be disqualified from the event. This policy is both for your safety and the longevity of the event.
1. No IPODS or Personal Music Devices
2. No Littering
3. No Public Urination
4. No Public Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages”
Good on you Ben! I led the charge back in the early two double naughts to get headphones banned in road racing. A couple of national leaders, Scott Keegan (RD Grandma’s Marathon), and Virginia Brophy-Achman (RD Twin Cities) got it and did actually dq those that appeared in race photos wearing headphones. Stricken from the results. A couple of years ago however we decided the USATF rule was “unenforceable” and began leaving it to the discretion of the individual Race Directors.
Numbers 2 through 4 are just good common courtesy and its a shame Rules had to be put in place to govern such things.
I spent years on the soapbox in favor of banning these items and I won’t rehash all the sound reasoning behind it, it will only bore you or tick you off. But my feet are still firmly planted against them and will remain so.
Tomorrow is our 2nd Corporate Cup qualifier 10K out at Zorinsky. The starting gun will fire promptly at 6:00 pm. You can click the Dojo 12K tab on the front page for the USATF Certified course map. Note that the run distance will be 10K, not the full 12K described. Water and official times provided, $3 donations are appreciated.
If you prefer going to Millard West Track:
1-1.5 mile warm up
2 X 1 mile @ current 5K race pace, 5:00 active recovery between each
1-1.5 mile warm down
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